Coping with Grief

The pain that accompanies grief can quickly become overwhelming. Because of this, it is easy for many people to turn to unhealthy or unproductive coping mechanisms. However, 

there are a few healthy and productive coping mechanisms one can turn to that will help them work through their grief and begin their journey toward healing. These coping mechanisms include:

Turning to trusted loved ones.

Grief can cause many to crave social isolation. However, isolating oneself from the support of loved ones will have a detrimental impact on one’s ability to find healing. As a social species, the love and support of friends and family members are crucial in coping with difficult times. Many studies have found that social support plays a pivotal role in the wellbeing and health of a person, especially when it comes to a person experiencing grief. Rather than isolating from loved ones, one should keep their most trusted friends and family members close. Loved ones have so much to offer a grieving person, like support, a listening ear, a helping hand, and even a fun time to help one get their mind off their current situation.

Allow oneself to feel their emotions.

For many people who grew up in a culture that was not always accepting of experiencing strong emotions, facing the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies grief can be complicated. Many may believe they can simply swallow their feelings and avoid dealing with them altogether. However, research has found that suppressing one’s emotions slows the grieving process and can impair their social functioning and memory.

As a person experiences their stages of grief, they must allow themselves to face each emotion as it comes. When they need to cry, they should cry. When they need to feel angry, they should allow themselves to feel angry. There are healthy ways to let oneself face difficult emotions, like those associated with grief. Allowing these feelings to be felt will play a critical role in one’s healing process.

Find a creative outlet. 

As a person allows themselves to feel each of their feelings as they come, finding a creative outlet for expressing them can be helpful. Now, this outlet can come in many different shapes and sizes. There are tons of creative outlets one can turn to, like journaling, painting, or dancing.

Self-care is important. 

One’s physical health is closely related to their psychological health. Because of this, a grieving person needs to continue taking care of their physical health by eating nutritious foods, getting movement throughout their day, ensuring they get enough sleep, and avoiding using harmful substances like drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult emotions.

Don’t withdraw from the things that bring joy. 

Grief can make one feel reluctant to leave their bed, let alone continue enjoying the hobbies that once put a smile on their face. However, continuing to show up for oneself by maintaining routine and doing activities that bring joy can be a great way to aid in healing.

Understanding and being prepared for grief triggers. 

When it comes to grief, there is not always a finish line for the pain. Some people may find themselves being triggered for years to come. Understanding one’s triggers and preparing themselves for the emotions that come with being triggered can be extremely helpful in dealing with the pain. One way a person may choose to prepare for their triggers is by seeking support from a loved one.