4 Things You Can Do When Dealing With the Loss of a Loved One

The loss of a loved one is perhaps one of the most soul-crushing and saddest feelings ever. The emotions one feels after such a loss are incomparable to anything else. After all, it’s only when you lose a loved one that you realize what their presence in your life truly meant, and once that presence is gone, it’s easy to feel shattered.

If you’ve ever lost someone special, you might be able to relate to all this. When the grief starts taking over, it’s easy to lose control of yourself. You won’t feel like doing anything or even carrying on with your usual routine.

A loved one’s passing can easily lead to your destruction, but you don’t want that. Life will go on for you, even if you’re the last person on earth, so no matter how sad and depressing things might get after a loss, you must deal with it maturely and carry on.

Today, we’ll talk about four things you can do when dealing with the loss of a loved one that will allow you to find peace within yourself as you grieve their passing.

#1 Allow Yourself to Grieve

When you’ve lost a loved one, grief is a natural and necessary response to it. Suppressing or denying your grief can prolong the healing process.

According to a 2020 research report, people experiencing grief are likely to notice improvements in symptoms after six months or so. However, the symptoms resolve completely or largely within one or two years. That being said, no two people grieve the same, and you can take longer if necessary.

Allow yourself to cry, reminisce, and feel the pain. Seek support from family, friends, or a therapist who can provide a safe space for you to express your emotions openly. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. More importantly, when dealing with such a loss, not being okay becomes necessary, but only temporarily. After that, you cannot but pick yourself up and carry on with life.

#2 Take Care of Yourself

Neglecting self-care is a common occurrence when you’re grieving. As your mind is entirely focused on what you’ve just lost, it becomes very easy to indulge in such negligence. However, for your mental as well as physical well-being, you must prioritize self-care.

Start by making sure that you’re regularly eating your meals and staying hydrated. Getting sufficient sleep throughout the day is also vital. Slowly, engage in activities that bring you comfort, like reading, going out on walks, hanging out with friends and family, etc. As you do so, try and get yourself back to your regular routine.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re grieving, but the grief shouldn’t consume you entirely. That’s why you allow yourself to grieve first and then slowly integrate yourself back into your daily routine.

#3 Seek Support from Others

Grief can feel isolating, but remember that you are not alone. Reach out to your support system and share your feelings with them. Friends and family can provide comfort and understanding during this challenging time. If necessary, consider joining a support group where you can connect with others who have experienced similar losses.

Professional help, such as seeking therapy or counseling, can also provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate your grief.

According to Texas therapist Kimber-Lea Raef, managing your feelings and reactions to the loss of someone significant in your life is difficult, but with the right support throughout the healing process, it becomes much easier. Professional mental health services can help you deal with the stress, trauma, and depression that may accompany you during this tough time in your life.

Zencare-vetted therapist Karen Klinem, who has extensive experience in providing mental health care to people dealing with the loss of a loved one, echoes the same thought. According to her, developing new awareness and relational skills will allow you to transform your suffering into healing, something that can also help develop yourself as an individual.

#4 Try Honoring Your Loved One’s Memory

Honoring the memory of your loved one is part of the overall healing process. Try creating a memorial that celebrates their life and the impact they have had on you. Be it through hanging pictures of the person on your walls or through journaling your thoughts and memories, there are many ways you can go about this.

However, if you feel that doing all this will make it harder for you to move on with your life, you can avoid this.

Lastly, you must be kind to yourself as you deal with the loss of this loved one. Healing is not a linear process, and you’re bound to face ups and downs along the way. The best thing to do here is to be patient and take things slow for a while till you’re fully ready to commit back to your usual routine and life.