Grief and Loss
Grief is a natural reaction to loss and may relate to a number of areas in your life. This can include the loss of a loved one, a relationship, pregnancy, home, way of life, pet, children leaving home, separation from friends or family, infertility, job or finances.
Grief affects people differently and can be expressed in many ways. It can leave you feeling lost, numb, sad, angry, alone, guilty, shocked, relieved, irritable, anxious... You may notice impacts in the following areas of your life
- your emotions
- thoughts and beliefs
- behaviour
- identity and sense of self
- physical health
- appetite changes
- your relationships with others
How can I cope with grief?
There is no one size fits all solution to dealing and coping with grief, but there are some ways that you can take care of yourself while you are grieving.
- Allow yourself to grieve and go easy on your self
- Reach out for support - talking to your friends, family, doctor, a psychologist or joining a support group can help
- Look after your health - engage in light exercise, eat well, and drink plenty of water
- Minimise alcohol and drug consumption
- Work on good sleeping habits
- Remember - if you have lost a love one, create positive memories by remembering the good times you had together or the impact they've had on you
Grief can come and go in waves, it can pop up at unexpected times in unexpected ways and does not have time limit. We learn to move forward with our grief rather than "get over" our grief. So try to follow these coping strategies when grief does pop up again and go gently on yourself.
ReachOut Australia - Tools for coping with grief and loss with Allira Potter
How can I help others cope with grief?
It can be difficult to know what to say or how to comfort somebody who is grieving. Often, offering support and love can be the most important.
- Reach out - ask how they are feeling and be there to listen
- Talk about everyday things as well - conversations do not need to be only about their grief and loss
- Ask how you can help - you could do something practical like taking them something to eat, buying a few groceries or offer go for a walk or do something enjoyable
- Be aware - grief can last a long time and anniversaries or birthdays may be a particularly hard time for your loved one, so reaching out on those days can be helpful.
- Encourage them to seek help
