Grief is a complicated emotion. What makes it especially difficult is that there isn’t really a right way to do it. Despite almost everyone in the world dealing with it at some point in their life, there isn’t a step-by-step process or protocol that you can follow for it. Everyone must grieve in their own way, according to their own terms.
Grief is the body’s natural response to any type of loss. This could be the loss of a loved one, a miscarriage, a retirement, the loss of a friendship, a breakup or divorce, or suffering from financial instability.
Experiencing a big loss can be hard to adjust to, and it takes time to feel fully ready or able to accept what has happened. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. This is what to do when you can’t accept a loss.
Allow Yourself to Feel
Allowing yourself to feel and acknowledging your feelings can be easier said than done. When you’re going through the grieving process, your emotions can feel like they’re all over the place. One minute you’re happy reminiscing on the past, and the next minute you’re sad, down, or angry about what happened. It can feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster with no hope of getting off anytime soon.
It may feel easier to dismiss or ignore your thoughts and feelings, but doing so won’t make you feel any better. In fact, it can actually lead to more problems. Instead, try acknowledging those emotions so that you can work toward processing them.
Take Care of Yourself
In times of stress, you may find yourself dismissing your own wants and needs and fixating on the negative areas of your life. But it’s more important than ever during these high-stress times to take care of yourself.
You want to make sure that your body and brain are functioning to the best of their ability. You can support yourself by aiming to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, getting at least eight hours of sleep each night, and finding ways to move your body throughout the day.
Find Healthy Outlets
Find and implement healthy coping mechanisms in your daily life and routine. These tools can help you find ways to become a little bit more proactive instead of reactive toward your negative thoughts and feelings. Creative activities like writing, drawing, or painting can help you express yourself and process your emotions without having to speak directly about them.
Stick to a Routine
During times of uncertainty, it’s important to control what you can to have a sense of security, structure, and stability. Try to create and stick to a routine. A good place to start is planning to go to bed around the same time every night, get up around the same time each morning, and have meals at regular times of the day.
The negative emotions that you’re experiencing can make it even more difficult to find the time or energy to complete tasks, but a schedule can help. Anything that provides a little more control during a time that feels like your life is full of change and chaos can be hugely beneficial.
Consider Professional Support
Try not to be so hard on yourself. Recognize that you’re doing the best that you can, especially given the circumstances. Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve.
If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by grief or if your symptoms aren’t improving, consider reaching out for additional support. A grief counselor can help provide a safe and secure space for you to work through your feelings so you can work on healing and moving forward in your life again.
