Most Americans are only paid for 3 days of Bereavement leave of close family members, as the U.S. does not have any laws granting mandatory leave. Yet, society has difficulty recognizing the death of a friend with the same importance as family, so taking time off from work and dealing with loss can be challenging.
When we lose someone close to us the pain we feel can often be overwhelming. That one person you’ve confided in every day, you grew up with or stood next to on their wedding day. It feels like you’ve lost a part of yourself and you don’t know what to do.
Coping with grief is exhausting, but there are several ways in which you can ease the pain. To find out more, read these five tips on dealing with loss.
- Feel Every Emotion
There’s no real answer for how to grieve, but there are many stages of grief. We have emotions for a reason, and even if they make us feel uncomfortable we must acknowledge and come to terms with them.
Try screaming if you’re angry, and cry for as long as you need. Recognize what you’re feeling and know this feeling won’t last forever, it’s just a part of the grief cycle.
- Self Care
During this time it’s crucial not to forget about your health and wellbeing. Write down how you’re feeling, take long baths, and try to get enough rest.
There’s no right way how to grieve, as grief looks and behaves differently with all of us.
- Keep Their Memory Alive
If a friend has passed suddenly, it can affect how we grieve. Whereas a long illness gives us more time to come to terms with the inevitable.
When you find yourself missing a friend, do things they used to love. Go to places where you spent time together, or watch a movie you both enjoyed.
- Allow Structure
Set small goals for yourself like finishing a whole meal, or taking a few minutes outside.
Put together a routine and work towards it slowly, or pick up something you’ve been wanting to try and get creative.
- Talk to Someone
The most important aspect of healthy grieving is talking to someone. If you find relatives or other friends aren’t able to understand or you need that extra support, reach out to a counselor.
They’ll be able to help you navigate and understand your grief, providing tools on how to cope and look after yourself better.
To find out more about grief loss, head over to Body Positive Works to explore their range of services and support programs.
Think You’re Ready to Start Dealing With Loss?
Grief is a part of life, however cruel it is. It’s something we all experience at one time or another. Over time it gets easier as you develop more ways to cope.
Dealing with loss is easier when you’re around others. If you know someone who has recently lost a friend or loved one, take them outside and engage in conversation, or get them involved in a fun activity to make them feel better.
For more related articles, check out our other blog posts.
