Dealing With Grief: Some Small Ways Of Managing Big Feelings

COLLABORATIVE POST

Grief is one of the saddest experiences we can have as human beings. It is the complex reaction that we have to losing something or someone that was important to us, and often comes with all kinds of big feelings. You’ll be pleased to note, however, that there are some small ways you can make the big feelings that go along with grief a little easier to bear. Read on to find out what they are.

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Practice self-compassion

The first small way that you can deal with the big feeling of grief is to practice self-compassion. This means sending some kindness towards yourself in your time of need, and not expecting things to go on as normal. In fact, allowing for changes such as taking some time off work as well as needing friends and family, is normal and to be expected as you process your feelings.

Find a support group

Another small way in which you can deal with the big and sometimes overwhelming feelings of grief is to find a support group. These kinds of groups are run by and full of other people who have gone through similar situations. This can be very helpful to those who are grieving, as it often feels as if no one else truly understands. Indeed, peer support groups can provide much-needed emotional help as well as practical suggestions that can lead to improvement that making things a little more bearable.

Use healthy channelling strategies

Many people turn to coping strategies when they are dealing with grief. Unfortunately, this can be a bad thing if these strategies are destructive, such as drinking alcohol to excess, substance use, or binge eating. Instead, it's a much better idea to find some more healthy coping mechanisms to keep your mind and body occupied and distract you from the pain for a bit.

Activities that require concentration and creativity can be particularly good choices, such as art, crafts, or learning a new language or subject.

Seek out compassionate professionals

When a friend or loved one passes, you will find that you may come into contact with many different professionals from doctors and nurses, to funeral directors to attorneys, to counselors. Wherever possible, make things easier on yourself by finding those professionals who are the most compassionate.

For example, if you find yourself having to go through the distressing process of fighting a wrongful death case after the passing of a loved one, finding an empathetic wrongful death attorney will make that process a little easier to bear. Indeed, if you can find an attorney who will both fight for maximum compensation while also offering emotional support during such a difficult time, it can make all the difference.

Explore your vulnerable side

While we often like to look and feel strong, grief is something that reveals vulnerability in us. This can be difficult to deal with at first because it can be an uncomfortable feeling. However, by exploring this feeling either alone, with trusted others, or with a professional therapist, we can learn a great deal about ourselves and the human condition.

— End of collaborative post —

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