Bereavement is deeply personal. We all go through and manage it in different ways – none of which are right or wrong. It affects us all differently at different times. Coping with grief is about taking things one day at a time, allowing yourself time to be upset when you need to be, and giving yourself permission to be happy when you feel it.
It’s a confusing and distressing time, and it can often be difficult to know whether you’re grieving properly for you. The truth is, there’s no set path for grief, there’s no telling how long phases of bereavement will last and there’s no set way you should be feeling.
Talk about how you’re feeling
As with any emotion, grief should be shared. It’s important to speak to those around you to share how you’re feeling. Opening up to close friends or family members can help to prevent things from getting on top of you. If you need additional support, there are a range of grief counselling and support groups available. The important thing is not to isolate yourself.
There is no ‘right’ way to feel. Naturally, you may feel sad or upset, but you may also find happiness or laughter – both of which are perfectly normal. The important thing is to allow yourself to feel your grief, in whatever form it takes.
Coping with grief
- Bereavement is a process, give yourself time to experience it. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, you might go back and to between the different stages of grief. Sometimes, it might even feel as though you’re travelling backwards. Everyone experiences and copes with grief differently, accept your feelings and don’t rush the process.
- Remember to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating healthy, sleeping well and exercising regularly. Your physical and mental health go hand in hand. Looking after yourself physically will help you to cope mentally with the grief you’re going through.
- Don’t be afraid to enjoy yourself. Don’t neglect your hobbies and other things that bring you joy. A sense of normality can often help you through the bereavement process.
- Look for mutual support – often speaking with others who are grieving while you’re going through it too can help you to feel connected again.
Additional support available
Mortons’ Monday Club
Mortons’ Monday Club is a mutual support group that meets on the first Monday of every month. The group has been put on hold throughout COVID, but is set to begin again in August. It’s open to all, and is specifically designed to create an environment for mutual support and advice for those going through a bereavement. You can even bring a friend along. Find out more here.
You can find a list of other local support facilities available to you here.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve for the loss of a loved one. With time, the sadness will ease and you’ll come to feel happiness alongside the grief.
The important thing is knowing you’re not alone. There is support out there.
For more information, get in touch, and a member of the team can help to point you in the right direction.