Grieving is a difficult ordeal that we all have to face in our lives. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for dealing with grief and getting through it. However, it is important to know that there are actions that can be taken and tips that can be applied to live a full and healthy grief. In this sense, the social workers of Clinic GO™ present you with information and advice in the following.
Grief, a process that can take time
Grief represents our reaction to a loss. It is most commonly referred to when it comes to the death of a loved one or loved one. There are many factors that influence the way a person grieves, including the cause of death, previous losses and how they were dealt with, stressors in daily life, and of course the relationship with the deceased. Of course, the closer one is to a person or the more important a relationship is, the more difficult it may be to grieve. Otherwise, when one has had a complicated relationship with a person, with ups and downs, the grieving may be influenced by unresolved issues or conflicts.
Thus, there are as many ways to grieve as there are people. It is a process in which we all participate actively, each in our own way. Therefore, we cannot define a “normal” duration for grief. It is also important to know that grief does not necessarily go away with time. It evolves and sadness can resurface at any time, even after several years, for example if we hear a song that the deceased person particularly liked.
It is also important to understand that grief affects us in many ways. It can have physical consequences (loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, etc.), as well as intellectual consequences (loss of concentration and self-confidence) and social consequences, i.e. it can affect our other relationships. And that’s not to mention the emotional reactions that grief generates: sadness, anger, guilt, etc.
Tips for dealing with grief
- Accept the sadness: It is important to take a break from sadness and negative emotions. This can be a good opportunity to remember the person who died and to go back to our memories with them.
- Do not try to speed up the process: we cannot force the grieving process and we cannot speed it up. We must accept that the process includes several stages and that it can take a long time.
- Writing down your emotions: this can be a good way to put words to what you are feeling and to accept the negative emotions as they are, without trying to ignore them or put them aside.
- Being physically active: Physical activity has many mental health benefits, as it releases endorphins that help reduce anxiety and sadness. Being active can help with grief.
- The importance of funeral rituals: Funeral rituals are very important in the grieving process and are therefore ubiquitous in all societies and religions. The support of loved ones and the community, gathered in memory of the deceased, helps to give meaning to what one is experiencing.
When to consult?
Bereavement is always an ordeal. However, it is recommended that you seek help if negative emotions take over and lead to depressive behaviours, such as deep sadness, withdrawal, loss of appetite, lack of energy and desire for daily activities, etc. In this case, it is pertinent to consult a therapist or professional who has a good knowledge of the grieving process and who can support us.
The social workers at Clinic GO™ offer online consultation in social work. If you are going through grief and are looking for support, please do not hesitate to seek our services.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
