OVERCOMING GRIEF

Grief is a normal part of coping with loss. It could be the loss of a job, a pet, a loved one or even a romantic relationship. All of these bring about a sense of loss which needs to be dealt with. It is completely normal to feel bitter, numb, detached and distant from people and places. But when do we know it is too much? If you or someone you know starts having suicidal thoughts, prolonged depression or loss of interest in daily tasks it may be signs of a grief management problem.

Here are some ways you can manage your grief:

◾Express yourself

Don’t be afraid to talk about your emotions. Talk to family and friends about how you feel. Verbalizing how you feel will help you deal with your emotions better. This can help you begin the healing process.

◾Schedule time to feel sad

It’s okay to feel sad after a loss. Allowing yourself to feel sad is a healthy step in the grieving process. Letting yourself feel sad gives you the time needed to come to terms with the loss. Schedule some time during the day to think about the good times you had.

◾Keep your routine

Keeping your routine helps to transition back to how life was before the loss. It can be as simple as going for a walk in the morning or waking up at your usual time.

◾Allow the grieving process to happen

Don’t keep your emotions bottled up. Let yourself go through the grieving process. i.e., Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Letting yourself go through these stages will help you work through your feelings.

◾Seek professional help

It is okay to seek professional help if it feels right for you. Counsellors can help you by giving you various tools and techniques to help you deal with your loss.

 

The author, Ms. Sudeeptha Grama, is the founder of The Coffeeshop Counsellor. She has an MSc. in Clinical and Counselling Psychology. She practices an eclectic approach by combining CBT, positive psychology and person centered therapies. She believes in personalizing therapy for each client as there is no one solution for all. Sudeeptha is also closely involved with U&I, an NGO focused on educating underprivileged children and rehabilitation for children with special needs.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wonder Women World.