Grief is a natural response to any type of loss. One of the most common and severe causes of grief is the loss of a loved one, which most individuals will experience at least once in their lifetime.

Loss and grief are common, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything easy about getting through them. Grief is complex and challenging—it can feel like your entire world has been turned upside down. There isn’t a right or a wrong way to grieve, and there isn’t a correct amount of time one should spend grieving.

Navigating the grieving process while getting on with your daily life—grocery shopping and interacting with others, for example—is tricky. Dealing with grief in the workplace can be especially difficult. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

It may seem easier to dismiss or ignore how you’re truly feeling, but this can actually lead to worsening symptoms of grief. The longer you go on without acknowledging your feelings, the longer you will continue to experience those negative thoughts and emotions.

Admitting to yourself that you’re in pain is easier said than done. It can feel like paying attention to uncomfortable emotions will only make them worse, especially at first. Allowing yourself to feel can help you release those pent-up feelings and start the process of healing.

Give Yourself Grace

Try not to be so hard on yourself during this time. Not being patient with yourself or being unwilling to show yourself grace during this time will only end up making you feel worse than you’re already feeling.

Grief takes time, and there will be ups and downs during this time. Be patient with yourself so that you can heal on your own terms. Having your own support when going through something hard can be extremely powerful.

Be Open and Honest

It may seem easier to keep to yourself, but try to be honest with your boss and colleagues about what’s going on. Letting your team know what’s going on can help you feel more at ease. Plus, they may be able to help take on some of your workload as you’re working through the grieving process.

How much you share about what you’re going through is up to you. This will depend on your comfort level and your relationships with the people you work with.

Set Boundaries

You may need to create more boundaries during this time. This is completely normal, and it can help you keep a good balance between your work and personal life.

It might be tempting to throw yourself into your work as a way to keep yourself distracted. Make sure you’re dedicating time to your career but also to yourself. These boundaries could involve delegating more work, taking breaks, or using more personal days.

Let Others In

Let others in to help you during this time. No one expects you to have it all together immediately after experiencing a loss, and there’s a good chance your colleagues would love to help. If asking for help is hard, consider how you’d react if your colleague asked you for help in a similar situation.

Make sure you’re communicating your needs to your manager as well. You may be able to adjust your schedule or working location to better meet your needs during this time.

Seek Professional Support

If grief is starting to impact your daily life and routine as well as your career, you may want to consider reaching out to a mental health professional for additional support. We’re here when you’re ready. Reach out today to set up an initial consultation for grief counseling.