How to deal with LOSS

GRIEF is a feeling of deep sorrow to a LOSS or CHANGE OF ANY KIND and, my goodness, how we have all had to adapt to loss recently! The lockdown has had a massive effect on our lives and perhaps you, or someone you care about, has had a loss.

Consider this, even if you just got angry or frustrated over the loss of your freedom or not being able to go to the pub or seeing your family and friends, you can still be sad and grieving.

We have had to adjust to living with the loss of our normal way of life, restrictions imposed on us have been out of our control and not our decision.

Perhaps this shared sense of loss is bringing to the surface grief for those who have died in the past. It is not uncommon that our past losses begin to resurface.

Although grief is more commonly associated with the loss of a loved one, here is a list of other events that are traumatic and will cause grief:

• Unemployment, job loss, or redundancy

• Divorce or a relationship breakup

• Loss of health perhaps an injury or serious diagnosis

• Loss of financial stability, bankruptcy

• Miscarriage or abortion

• Retirement

• Losing the family home

• Death of a pet

• Loss of ambition or a long-term desire

• Loss of a friendship

• Loss of safety after a trauma

Right now, as restrictions are beginning to lift, you could feel all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions. Your physical health may be suffering, making it difficult to think straight.

It is important that you should never feel alone, and neither should you feel ashamed of your own coping mechanisms.

Could you be grieving, or do you know someone who is?

Here are some ways to help you, or a loved one cope:

• Acknowledge your pain

• Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions

• Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you

• Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically

• Maintain a healthy diet

• Exercise

• Engage in Mindfulness practices

• Accept your new reality

It may be time to seek out face-to-face support. Contact me, I can help.

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