Grief and wellness: tips for health and healing
Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the suffering you feel when someone or something you love is taken away. Often the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions from disbelief to sadness, anger and guilt. The pain of grief can also affect your physical health making it difficult to think and eat or sleep. You may have heard the phrase “sick with grief” or the word heartbroken.” These phrases and words reveal a profound truth about grief, it affects your overall well-being. Understanding the effects of grief on your mental and physical health can help you know when it’s time to consider seeking professional help.
Whatever your loss, it’s personal to you, so don’t feel embarrassed about how you feel. If the person, animal, relationship, or situation was significant to you, it’s normal to grieve the loss you experience. Whatever the cause of your grief, though, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that, in time, can ease your sadness and help you come to terms with your loss, and even find a path to happiness and new meaning.
Often people ask how long their grief will last? But no one can answer this for you because it is different for everyone and different each time, we experience a loss. Whatever you feel, it’s important to try to be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to process your feelings. You may have different feelings that come and go over months or years. Gradually, most people find that these feelings are not there all the time. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years.
While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to help cope with the pain. Practicing techniques to help you cope with grief may help you feel better both emotionally and physically. Consider the following tips:
Acknowledge and Express Emotions:
Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions without judgement. It’s perfectly okay to experience a wide range of feelings. Things like journaling, art, music or talking to a supportive friend, therapist or health coach can help in expressing emotions. There are coaches who specialize in grief, (Luxe Health Coaching offers this specialized life coaching support) and other support groups can be found online or in local hospitals, and counseling centers.
Self-Care:
Prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness, breathing and meditation, doing these things on a routine basis can provide a sense of stability during a time of upheaval. Eat nutritious foods, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep.
Seek Comfort:
Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Rather than isolating, spend time together and accept the assistance that’s offered. Often people want to help but don’t know how, so tell them what you need-whether it’s a daily check in, a simple in person touch base, or just a listening ear. Accept that people who haven’t experienced a similar loss often feel awkward or don’t know what to do. But don’t use that as an excuse to withdraw or avoid social contact. If you don’t feel you have anyone you can regularly contact, try to join a support group.
Find Meaning:
It is important to remember that everyone’s journey through loss is unique and there is no right way to go about it. Loss often leads to change, and embracing change can open new doors to new opportunities and growth. Seek ways to find meaning or purpose in your life beyond loss. This might involve volunteering, helping others, pursuing a new passion, or dedicating time to personal growth. What’s most important is that you find a path that works best for you and allows you to eventually discover a life that is meaningful and fulfilling once again.