Six Simple (But Important) Things To Remember About Grief & Loss

One of the most challenging things we can go through in life is the loss of a loved one, and anyone who has experienced grief and loss knows that grief does not fit neatly into a straight path. All sorts of emotions and challenges can arise throughout the process of grieving which make it difficult to function, process, and progress in your daily life. 

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Whether you’re feeling weighed down, overwhelmed, numb, exhausted, disconnected, angry or sad, here are Six Simple (But Important) Things To Remember About Grief & Loss: 

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1. Be patient with yourself. 

Grief is an exhausting, uphill battle that takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health. Make sure that you treat your grieving process like a time of intense stress. Take the time to get good sleep if you can (nap if you can’t), eat healthy food, hydrate, and move your body. Avoid alcohol and sugar in order to minimize depressive episodes and ensure you’re giving your body the care it needs to support your mind and heart. 

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2. Expect the ups and downs. 

Shocked every time you feel good, then bad, then good, then bad again? This is completely normal for the grief process. This isn’t a sign you’re moving backward… it’s actually a sign you’re progressing. These ups and downs are important, and better than being stuck. 

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3. Normalize your emotions. 

Fighting your emotions during grief & loss will only delay the healing process. It might be hard, but when emotions wash over you, take the time to feel them in their fullness - whether that means anger, resentment, sadness, or even peace. 

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4. Remember, you can survive this. 

When grief has you feeling low, remember that many others have gone before you and are living fulfilling lives in the absence of a loved one. It may seem like you can’t get through these intense emotions, but you’ll learn more about your resiliency as you move through them. Create space to feel your feelings, and seek out support in places like group therapy for grief & loss to remind you that you’re not alone. Learning from others who are further ahead on their grief journey will help you put one foot in front of the other, every day. 

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5. You won’t grieve deeply forever. 

Grief feels like an endless wash cycle of torment, and at times it may seem you’ll be struggling as deeply as you are now, forever. But this is simply not true. While you will always carry your grief with you, over time you will learn to ride the waves of grief better and better, and they will have less of a painful and heavy impact on your daily life. 

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6. You’re not alone. 

Grief & loss can be isolating, and it can seem like no one understands what you’re going through. Well-meant comments often feel like harsh understatements, and can leave you feeling alone and hopeless. In reality, so many people are here to help support you who truly understand what you are going through. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and alone, online group therapy is the perfect place to discover the support and encouragement you need to get through this period of intense grieving. 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT GROUP THERAPY FOR GRIEF & LOSS 

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