(Newswire.net — February 3, 2022) — It’s one of the biggest challenges in life, yet as WebMD notes, many people have the perception that there’s a “right way to grieve” and that they’re doing it wrong. But there is no one correct way, and everyone has their own timeline.
Following these tips can help develop your coping skills so that you can better channel the loss and eventually ease the pain.
Reframe the Situation
It’s hard to consider positives when it comes to the loss of a loved one, but positive reframing can be helpful when grieving. It can be focused on how you feel or your thoughts. It doesn’t mean that you’re disregarding the importance of the loss rather than focusing on aspects that still connect you to the person.
Try focusing on the good memories you had together, or even better, turning it into something active, such as working on a tribute. That can help reframe the extreme emotions that come with grieving and at least bring some temporary relief.
Schedule In Time to Grieve
It’s important to process the intense emotions that come with a loss. It can help to set aside time to grieve, marking it down on a calendar to give yourself permission to scream, cry or release those feelings in whatever way you want to without fear of judgment.
Talk to Friends
This is the time to lean on your friends for support. Sharing your feelings can help ease the heavy burden of loss. Your friends may not know what to do to help – let them know that you don’t expect answers or advice, but you just want to reminisce about the person or share your feelings about the loss.
As being home alone can leave you immersed in grief, make it a point to get out and meet with friends or join a social group.
Counseling
Of course, not everyone has friends they can turn to for support when dealing with the loss of a loved one. And frequently, seeking professional, outside help can be the best way to express emotions without fear of judgment or upsetting someone who is already dealing with the same loss.
In some cases, self-help methods just aren’t enough, and grief counseling can be one of the most important tools for coping.
If you’re experiencing signs like having difficulty sleeping, a loss of appetite that’s endured over a long period, feeling unable to return to regular activities months or years after the loss, or are having suicidal thoughts, a professional can suggest specific strategies to help that can be a turning point.
Exercise
Getting as much physical activity as you can is a great way to release stress or even use it as a way to express your grief. You can even get a punching bag and work out your frustration on that. Or simply take peaceful walks in nature. Being outdoors in the sunshine has been shown to ease depression and anxiety.
Get Creative
Find a creative outlet that can allow you to process overwhelming emotions, whether it’s playing music, art, or simply writing down your feelings in a journal.