Grieving the death of a person close to you often involves very painful feelings. Loss is understood as a natural part of life, but we can still be overcome by shock and confusion, leading to prolonged periods and depression. When we lose a spouse, sibling or parent, our grief can be particularly intense. The sadness typically diminishes in intensity as time passes, but grieving is an equally important process in order to overcome these feelings and embrace the present.
We all have our own unique experiences of grief and thus, our coping strategies work differently for each of us. After a loss, people often receive support from family and friends. Sometimes people may not have this support and may need a professional to help them learn more about the grieving process and loss. In such cases, grief therapy proves very beneficial as it helps a person to understand why he or she is having a difficult time and explore helpful ways to cope with the loss.
On an individual level, at times of grief, we need to first allow ourselves to experience the pain of loss. As much as it hurts, it is natural and healthy to grieve. Sometimes, people feel guilty about the way they feel, thinking they should probably “get over it.” But, letting yourself experience and express your pain out is a good approach for those who usually face difficulties showing their feelings to others. It is to extend compassion and patience towards oneself and allow grief to unfold at a pace he or she is comfortable with.
Talking about the loss and sadness with others may help one to process and release the feelings. Expressing them through creative activities such as music, art, writing also helps. In such cases, journaling is considered to be the most effective method as looking back through your journal later may allow a person to see how the grief changed over time. Physical activities like exercising and jogging and maintaining a daily routine can help a person take his or her mind off the heavy emotions.
There is no “normal” time period for someone to grieve. Instead, feelings of grief and loss are something that takes time. But it can also be the catalyst for a renewed sense of meaning that offers a purpose and direction to life.