Grieving takes place after many types of losses, such as the loss of a relationship, spouse or pet. The level of grief can differ, and the amount of time it takes to heal changes from one situation to the next. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a psychiatrist specializing in death and dying, developed the five stages of grief, which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
Get Support
You may find that you want to lie in bed all day with your head under the covers, avoiding your loved ones. Some days you can do that, but eventually you'll need to surround yourself with people who care about you. If you need help, you have to tell them directly what you'd like help with. Many people probably want to help you, but they don't know where to start. Ask them to help you with the laundry or to pick up your children from school. Give specific tasks when someone offers her time.
Work at Your Own Pace
Everybody reacts to loss differently. Even though specific stages of grief have been outlined, that doesn't mean you'll experience them in that order or for any set period of time. Be gentle with yourself, and understand that you are allowed to feel however you feel. Embrace your emotions instead of trying to push them aside. If you feel depressed and it doesn't go away within a few weeks, consider getting help from a mental health professional.
Plan for Reminders
After a loss, you might not realize how many times a day or week you'll be reminded about it. If you can't deal with all the reminders and need a break, take one. For example, if your child passes away, you might need to close his bedroom door and not enter it for a couple of months. Even with it closed, you might think about him every time you walk by it. MayoClinic.com recommends that you prepare for episodes of grief around anniversaries by planning a distraction and connecting with others.
Take Care of Your Health
When you're grieving, you might completely stop exercising, forget to eat and have trouble sleeping. However, Helpguide.org reports that the stress of a loss can drain your energy, making it even more important to take care of yourself. You might have to enlist loved ones to help you with this. For instance, ask your best friend to walk with you after work to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Try your best to eat healthfully, sleep eight hours each night and exercise for 20 minutes daily. Over time this will help to improve your mood.
