How to Survive Grief

Any significant loss can cause grief and sadness. We generally think of grieving as something we do when we lose a family member or special friend, but the loss of a marriage, health, or job can also lead to grief. This personal experience takes time to process, and every person goes through the steps of grief differently. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified several steps to grieving -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Depending on the type of loss and the individual, the time period for grieving differs for each person.

Instructions

• 1

  Express your emotions as needed. Cry when you need to. Don't hold in your thoughts or emotions. Journal what you are feeling if you don't feel comfortable talking with anyone. Don't take your grief out on your family and friends by yelling. Lean on family, friends, religious support systems, grief support groups or a counselor or therapist.

• 2

  Wait to make any major life changes or decisions. Moving, marriage, handling finances and even career changes should be put on hold. Additional changes now can create additional stress. Take your time and seek advice from a trusted person who can help you assess your options in an unbiased manner.

• 3

  Take care of yourself. Your body will need extra sleep during the grieving process to deal with stress. Sleep can help you process through all of the changes you are dealing with and make sense of what is happening. You could become ill or exhausted without enough rest. Eat in a healthy manner. Eat smaller meals if needed, being careful to balance your diet. Vitamins can supplement possible deficiencies. Exercise to manage anxiety or stress; one excellent option is walking. Enjoy favorite activities, such as watching a movie, reading a book or receiving a pedicure or massage. Stay involved in previous activities such as volunteering, church and work.

• 4

  Spend time with family and loved ones. Even if you feel lonely, talking about your feelings can help you through the grieving process, as well as help you connect with others. When others offer to help, let them. Whether they want to take you to a movie, bring a meal or help clean your house, they will show you they care and you can use the help.

• 5

  Take your time grieving. The process does not continually improve, but may cycle through ups and downs, which are very typical. The intensity of your grief can lessen gradually over time, in about six months to a year, according to WebMD.

• 6

  Limit alcohol, avoid over-the-counter sleep medications and beware of quick fixes. Any of these can add to your emotional stress and keep you from processing grief normally. Consult a doctor or therapist for any needed treatment options.