This article offers seven tips for coping with grief. It includes links to bereavement charities and professional organisations who provide support and advice.
1 – Keep In Contact
When someone passes away there is an initial period when family and friends call, text and pop in to visit, but often that steady stream of visitors slows as the weeks and months pass. So it’s only natural to feel very lonely and isolated in the months following the loss of a loved one. Our first tip is a gentle reminder to keep checking in on family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Picking up the phone or popping in for a cuppa can make a big difference to a person who is experiencing grief. If you’re not sure what to say then this article from Marie Curie offers some good advice.
2 – Ask for Support
Grief can have a huge impact on our wellbeing and greatly impact our day-to-day lives. People experience grief in different ways and there is no time limit on how long grief will last. The important thing is to know that you don’t need to struggle with grief alone. There are free helplines to call and support groups. You could also ask your GP for support. Follow this link to find local bereavement support services.
3 – Get Out and About
According to bereavement charity Cruse getting out in the fresh air and enjoying nature can be very helpful when you’re grieving. This doesn’t necessarily mean climbing a mountain, it could be a gentle stroll around the park, or driving through the countryside. Cruse recommend visiting a place that holds precious memories or simply walking in the fresh air. Learn more ….. Walking and nature for grief – Cruse Bereavement Support
4 – Get More Sleep
If you’re struggling to get a proper night’s rest then the NHS website has easy to follow tips for improving your chances of a getting a good sleep.
5 – Family Support
Sometimes it can be hard to find the right words or to know how to approach a situation. Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland is a charity which offers valuable advice to anyone experiencing grief. On their website are insightful articles full of advice for people of all ages, including how to help the younger people cope with grief. Read this article on Helping Young People And Children Through Grief for more information.
6 – Shared Experiences
‘On the Marie Curie Couch’ and ‘Grief Cast’ feature interviews with high profile people sharing their personal experiences of life after loss. Listening to the experience of others, and learning how they coped, or are coping with their own grief can be valuable. Follow the links below to search through the interviews on each podcast.
7 – Keep Memories Alive
Our final tip for coping with grief is to keep memories alive. Some people find that writing down their feelings in a letter or journal can be helpful in processing emotions and thoughts following the loss of a loved one. Learn more in this article about managing grief.
