There is no right or wrong way to cope with grieving. Everybody reacts differently to the loss of a loved one. It is by understanding grief and the different types in which it can manifest that we can find healthier ways to cope. But what is grief? It is natural for people to grieve when they experience loss. When you lose something or someone you love, you feel the pain of loss. The pain of losing someone can be overwhelming. From shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness, you might feel all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions. You can also experience physical difficulties as a result of grief, including trouble sleeping, eating, and even thinking straight. You will likely experience all these feelings when you suffer a loss – and the more significant the loss, the stronger the response. Grieving might act as a gateway for mental health issues to develop, it is important to aid those who have suffered of a recent loss and asses them properly.

There are symptoms of grieving that one might want to look for in people who just experienced loss, these might include: Having difficulty concentrating, crying spells, and confusion about what to expect in the future. Defeats and discouragement in life are a result of repeated losses. An absence of appetite, loss/gain of weight, and lack of sleep. A feeling of guilt that not enough was done because of the loss of a loved one. Believing that you were responsible for someone’s death. Loss is constantly discussed.

What can I do to express my grief?

Grieving is weird, it might hit you like a truck instantly, or it might take a couple of days, weeks even, to realize that the person is gone. It is important to remember that no matter how you might react, it is still valid. Everyone grieves in their own way, and the way you react does not make your pain any less worthy.

Here are some things that you can do to express your grief:

• Allow yourself to feel your emotions.
• Grief is not the same for everyone, you are valid.
• Grief does not move in stages.
• Seek necessary help.
• Prepare for painful reminders
• Moving on does not mean you don’t care or that you have forgotten your loss. Be kind to yourself.