How to deal with grief and loss

How to deal with grief and loss

Grief is something that takes time to work through. While everyone finds their own way to grieve it's important to have the support of friends and family or someone else, and to talk about your loss when you need to.

Here are a few tips on how you can help yourself:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help
  • Talk to friends and family about how you are feeling, or consider joining a support group. McGlynn Hunt Funerals can recommend some experienced professionals.
  • Take care of your physical health. Grieving can be exhausting, so it's important to eat a healthy diet, exercise and sleep.
  • Manage stress – lighten your load by asking friends, family members or work colleagues to help you with some chores or commitments. Relaxation and gentle exercise can be helpful.
  • Do things you enjoy, even if you don’t really feel like doing them. After you’ve lost a loved one this can be hard to do, but it’s important in order to get you back on track.

How to help a person who is experiencing grief and loss

Many people do not know what to say or do when trying to comfort someone who is grieving. However, often it is the simple offer of love and support that is the most important.

  • Ask how they're feeling. Each day can be different for someone who is grieving; take the time to listen and understand what they are going through.  
  • Talk about everyday life too. Their loss and grief does not have to be the focus of all your conversations.
  • Offer a few small gestures like preparing some home cooked meals, doing their shopping or going for a walk to take their mind off their loss.
  • Encourage them to seek professional support if their grief does not seem to be easing over time.