Feeling grief can be one of the most difficult parts of the human experience. When we lose something we love, be it a loved one, a relationship, a situation, or an experience, it is normal to go through a period of mourning. It’s important to not be ashamed of what you are feeling. Instead, give yourself permission to grieve. Reminding yourself that the grieving process is completely normal may make it easier to bear.
Although the mourning process is a unique and personal experience and each of us will grieve in a completely different way, there are a few things you can do to manage your grief process. These “9 Ways to Overcome Grief” are from a grief counselor and are things you can do to move through the experience in the healthiest way possible.
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Celebrate the life of the loved one. Go to the funeral or memorial service. Talk about them, reminisce on what you will miss the most, and be around other people who knew and loved them.
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Give yourself permission to feel and express your emotions. Accept what you are feeling, whether it’s sadness, anger, guilt or shock. Grief can trigger all sorts of different emotions, some expected, others very unexpected. Allowing yourself to deeply feel your emotions, instead of pushing them away or burying them, allows the grieving process to run its course and gives you room to heal in a natural way.
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Talk about it. Seek out the friends and people you feel safe with and let them know when you need to talk. Although it can be very helpful to talk about your grief, sometimes just being around others can also offer comfort and support. It’s important that you communicate to others what you need and when you want to talk. If you don’t feel like talking but need a way to express what you are feeling, writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal may also help.
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Take care of yourself. Get physical and try your best to stick to your routine. Make time to be outside and exercise every day if possible. The fresh air and movement will work wonders for your mood and energy levels. Sometimes we store energy and emotions in our physical bodies and movement helps us get out of our mind and process what we are feeling. Plus, the fresh air and endorphins can’t help but have a positive effect.
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Take time to treasure the memories. Look through photo albums, remember happy times, tell stories about whomever or whatever you lost. Sharing memories and feeling gratitude can help remind us of the good times we have had which will help lesson the feelings of sadness and loss.
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Purge purge purge. Go through old belongings and declutter your space. Switching things up can help make your space feel like yours again and can lead to feelings of a new beginning.
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Lean into your faith or spirituality. If you are a religious or spiritual person, now is the time to find solace in prayer, meditation, church, religious leaders, and other rituals. Faith and spirituality are here to help us through the hardest of times and provide guidance when we feel lost.
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Find a grief support group. Grief can be a very lonely and isolating experience. If you find yourself unable to relate to others, even close friends and family, because they aren’t experiencing grief themselves, seek out a local support group so you can be around other people you relate to during this difficult time.
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When your grief experience feels like too much to bear, talk to a therapist or grief counselor. Therapists are individuals who are trained to help guide people through difficult times. Although we cannot say the magic words and make everything better, we are here to sit with you, listen to you, and assist you as you move through the grieving process.
Moving on from a loss and finding new meaning in life will look different for each of us. Moving on means that we have accepted and moved through our grief in a healthy and natural way and will take a different amount of time for each of us. It is important that you are gentle with yourself during this experience and give yourself plenty of time to feel whatever you are feeling. The grief process is a roller coaster and you will experience many highs and lows throughout the journey. Do not hesitate to lean on your friends and family or reach out to a grief counselor should you feel the load is too much to bear. If we can be of help in this time, please reach out for a therapist in Roseville, CA a grief counselor in Fair Oaks, CA or a therapist in CA via online therapy in California.
Reach out to the relationship therapy clinic and schedule a free 20-minute video consultation to learn more about online therapy,
Meet with one of our compassionate online therapists,
Begin online therapy and find relief from the symptoms of grief and depression.
Other Services offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to online therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. At the moment, all our therapy services are being offered online to comply with social distancing and the stay-in-place order issued by the state of California. We will discuss the importance of self-care and emotional support to help you cope with the hardships that come with the grieving process.
Bereavement therapy for grief and loss can be enjoyable, with the right therapist. Our compassionate therapists are trained to walk you through the grief process and help you find healing and peace. Please contact our therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you and your loved ones heal, grow, and love well.