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How to handle your feelings after a loss

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Allow yourself to feel your feelings

Losing a loved one can be a painful and heartbreaking experience. It's no surprise that many people bury their emotions and ignore their feelings. Studies  have shown that when you avoid going through the grieving process, you are more prone to suffer from some form of depression or health issues. Allowing yourself to feel your grief, most often through tears or other forms of expression, can provide genuine relief. This can honestly be very uncomfortable, and just like you want to be very careful with a bruise or wound on your body, you need to be careful with this wound on your emotions. Consider setting a timer for just a few minutes at a time to sit still, breathe, and feel. When the timer rings, get up and move around a bit and go on about your day. Repeat this process, and in time you may find yourself growing more comfortable with the practice.

Tell everyone how you feel - you're allowed to express your grief.

In today's world, we're expected to dust ourselves off and get back to life as soon as possible. But grief is a natural response to loss, and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be. You should be open about needing time to feel better and be patient with yourself to allow the process to naturally unfold. Others around you may need a reminder that you are going through a difficult time, especially as time passes. The more honest you are about your grief, the more you allow other people to be there and respect your needs.

Turn to people who care about you most.

After a loss, you may experience difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt and profound sadness. You may need some time alone to reflect on how to process these emotions, and it's perfectly acceptable to do so for a time. However, you should ultimately allow people back into your life, especially if it will help you move on. A friend, family member or a spiritual leader can all assist you in your grief process. Allow the people who care about you most to simply be there for you.

Don't let anyone tell you how to feel.

However great your loss, it’s personal to you. Don’t feel ashamed about how you feel or believe that it’s somehow only appropriate to grieve in a certain way. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you need to feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to let go when you’re ready.

Take care of yourself.

We often think of grief as a strictly emotional process, but grief often involves physical symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains or insomnia. It can be easy to let things like "food" and "sleep" slip your mind when you’re in a state of grief. Make sure you eat, get plenty of rest and do things that are soothing and comforting. Figure out what you need to do to feel healthy, and make sure you do it.

Time doesn't heal all, and that's ok.

Time is necessary, but it is not a cure. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no "normal" timetable for grieving. Time might lessen the intensity of that immediate pain of loss, as well as your grief, but your sense of loss and emptiness may never go away. Finding healthy ways to cope with the pain can ease your sadness and help you come to terms with your loss and find new meaning, keeping the memory of your loved one as an important part of you.

A young girl is sitting on the floor leaning against a wall in a hallway.
03 Sep, 2024
Grief in the Classroom: How Educators Can Support Grieving Students Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience that can affect anyone, including students. When a student is grieving, the impact can be far-reaching, influencing not only their emotional well-being but also their academic performance, social interactions, and overall sense of security. As educators, it is crucial to recognize the signs of grief and to provide a supportive environment where students can navigate their emotions in a healthy way. Understanding Grief in Students Grief can stem from various sources—loss of a family member, friend, pet, or even the upheaval of a major life change like divorce or relocation. Each student will process grief differently based on their age, personality, and the nature of the loss. Common emotional reactions include sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety, and even guilt. Physically, students might experience fatigue, headaches, or changes in appetite. Academically, grief can lead to difficulty concentrating, a decline in grades, or a lack of interest in school activities. Grieving students might also exhibit behavioral changes such as withdrawal from social interactions, irritability, or increased dependency on adults. Understanding these varied responses is the first step in providing the appropriate support. Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment Foster Open Communication Encourage students to express their feelings by creating a safe, non-judgmental environment. Let them know it's okay to feel sad or confused and that they can talk to you or another trusted adult whenever they need to. Use age-appropriate language to discuss grief and loss openly, which can help normalize these experiences. Offer Flexibility Grieving students may need time to process their emotions, which can make it challenging to meet deadlines or stay focused on assignments. Provide flexibility with homework, tests, and participation. Offer extensions or alternative assignments that are less demanding. This flexibility can ease the pressure on the student while allowing them to stay engaged in their education at their own pace. Incorporate Grief Resources Introduce grief-related books, activities, or discussions in the classroom that are appropriate for the age group. This can help students who are grieving feel understood and supported. It can also educate their peers about empathy and the impact of loss, fostering a more compassionate classroom community. Be Mindful of Triggers Certain activities, holidays, or topics may act as triggers for grieving students. Be sensitive to these potential triggers and offer alternatives or modifications when necessary. For example, if a class project involves creating a family tree, provide an option that allows the student to participate without causing distress. Encourage Peer Support Encourage students to support their grieving peers in positive ways. This could involve creating a buddy system, where a classmate checks in with the grieving student, or facilitating group activities that promote teamwork and empathy. Peer support can be incredibly powerful in helping students feel less alone in their grief. Maintain Routine with Compassion While it's important to be flexible, maintaining a routine can provide grieving students with a sense of normalcy and stability during a turbulent time. However, this should be balanced with compassion—understanding that the student may need to step away or take breaks when emotions become overwhelming. Grief is a challenging journey for anyone, but it can be particularly difficult for students who are still developing emotionally and cognitively. As educators, you play a pivotal role in supporting grieving students by creating a compassionate and flexible environment that acknowledges their pain while encouraging their continued growth. By fostering open communication, offering flexibility, and collaborating with school counselors, you can help grieving students navigate their emotions and find a sense of normalcy in the classroom. Your support can make a significant difference in their ability to cope with loss and continue their educational journey.
19 Aug, 2024
Traveling can provide an insightful perspective into your life, but when you're grieving, that perspective often widens into something much more.
A man is giving a presentation to a group of people sitting in chairs.
05 Aug, 2024
The subjects of loss and grief are worthy of deep discussion. As thinking, feeling beings, we’re aware of the inevitability of losing something or somebody we love. But internalizing that knowledge and really accepting that grief will be a part of our lives is a challenge. Thinking about the end of our own lives is an even greater challenge. Rather than write about these subjects this week, we’d like to share with you some TED Talk videos that have inspired us to think about death and loss in new ways and begin to understand the necessity of grieving. We hope you find inspiration here, too. Peter Saul - Let’s talk about dying Saul makes a fantastic case for thinking about, discussing, and taking ownership of the end of your life. As an intensive-care doctor who has witnessed the last moments of hundreds of patients, his message urges us to “occupy death,” and make the tough decisions about where and how we want to die. Dr. Geoff Warburton - The Adventure of grief Warburton, a psychologist and author, speaks to the idea that feelings of grief can be embraced as part of the adventure of living. He insists that our deepest, darkest emotions must be felt deeply in order to access the full range of emotions that make life worth living. Amanda Bennett - We need a heroic narrative for death By recounting the story of her husband’s death, Bennett explains how humans can reach a point of unwavering hope – which can also be considered denial – when a loved one is ill. Because death is so often seen as defeat, she makes a case for lifting up death as heroic and reflective of the glory and beauty of life. Alison Killing - There’s a better way to die, and architecture can help “Where we die is a key part of how we die.” Alison Killing approaches the subject of death from a unique perspective, examining the locations and buildings that play a part in how we experience the end of our lives. Kelli Swazey - Life that doesn’t end with death Anthropologist Swazey speaks about the culture of Tana Toraja, where the death of a loved one is a social experience involving celebration and rituals that develop over time. Under such circumstances, death becomes a part of the human story, and it can be considered beautiful.
A man and a woman are sitting at a table with a laptop and a tablet.
30 Jul, 2024
When it comes to planning a funeral, many people have questions about what it entails and how to go about it
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