Here’s a Loaded Question: How Can We Overcome Grief?
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How To Overcome Grief
The reality is that your loved one who has died, and is no longer here physically on this earth with us. We can’t change that fact, so how can we try to overcome loss and grief? There are actually ways to work through the grief.
A big one is a mindset shift. Mindset change is talked about often these days, but in the case of grief, the term would mean shifting your mindset from anxiety and upset to personal growth.
Just as happiness is a universal feeling, grief is one that we will all grapple with at some point. Whatever the source of the grief is, learning to handle it is necessary in order to move forward and live a fulfilling life.
Some experts provide the following ideas which help achieve this goal head-on:
Don’t blame yourself. (I covered this more in-depth HERE). Also, try not to succumb to “survivors’ grief,” in which you wonder why you are still alive when your loved one is not.
Meet your emotions head-on. Don’t try to stuff them or ignore them. Grief demands your full attention, in the form of engaging in positive ways of release, i.e. talking about it with people whom you trust or finding a grief counselor so that you have safe space to process your feelings.
Surround yourself with positivity. Anyone who wonders why you’re “still” grieving or asks what’s wrong with you, is not healthy for you to be around. You need to focus on your feelings, not responding to other people’s reactions to your grief process.
Allow your grief to help you with your own personal growth. Grief and loss are very intense and they give us opportunities for deep reflection and growth. Often, from experiencing the death of a loved one, we learn big life-lessons. I recently read a meaningful quote that said,
“Grief provides an opportunity for self-growth because it teaches critical lessons. Lessons that are key to successful transformation. Grief will bring out the authentic YOU because it lets you face your own mortality.”
Be patient with yourself. Dr. Phil McGraw, the psychologist and tv show host reminds people that they need to give themselves time to accept what has happened. There is no schedule for when you should feel certain emotions or be done with other emotions. While crying and feeling depressed, it’s also important to remember to keep putting one foot in front of the other to move forward.
Accept what you can’t change and focus heavily and consciously on what you can change. Mentally, spiritually and emotionally, you have to accept the reality of your loss and let go of the part of the past that you cannot bring back.
A Mind-Body Program as a Tool For Loss
A study published by the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine found that a specially designed eight-week mind-body program can help reduce stress in adults after a loss.
The components of the program include:
Take up yogi, or tai chi for relaxation and stress reversal
Maintain a healthy diet
Get enough sleep because grief is emotionally exhausting
Get moving. Even a daily walk will help ease the feelings associated with grief
Keep your health in check. Schedule regular appointments and remember to take your medications as needed
Take on new responsibilities that will keep your mind focused on a task
Reach out to your social support network and circle of friends and family.
Above all, realize and understand that you can’t overcome grief overnight, nor should you try. And you can’t get through grief with destructive behavior. Take your time, and USE the resources available to help you through this tough time as smoothly as possible – books, support groups, grief counselors. Take your time, and USE the resources available to help you through this tough time as smoothly as possible – books, support groups, grief counselors.
WITH THE RIGHT MINDSET AND THE RIGHT SUPPORT, YOU CAN OVERCOME GRIEF!
Tough Times Call For Gentle Support.
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If you or someone you know would benefit from grief counseling, download my resource guide, or schedule a free consultation call.
