Helping Someone Manage Through Grieving Process
Tips On Helping Someone Manage Through the Grieving Process
Grief is an emotional response to loss, and it is a painful natural response that results when something or a loved one is taken away. Typically, the bereaved undergo painful and intense emotions that result in; depression, guilt, and anger. They often feel isolated in grief since the people around them might not know what to tell them to make them feel comfortable.
Most of the time, grief is associated with the death of a loved one- any loss can result in grief, including; losing a job, miscarriage, divorce, retirement loss of a friendship. Here are a few tips on managing through a grieving process
1. Get to Know the Grieving Process
It is crucial to know and have a general understanding of grief. People who are grieving experience emotional rollercoasters. You need to take time and understand the grieving process and also take time to learn how to handle a loved one undergoing grief. For many people, recovery takes a while, and you may need not put pressure on your loved ones to move on faster or make them feel they have taken too long to heal.
Doing this can cause the healing process to take time.
2. Listen More and Talk Less
Allow them to express their thoughts and feelings and show compassion in their grieving process.
Pay attention to the amount of your talking and listen more. Allow the grieved one to speak about their feelings openly. People who suffer tend to tell the story repeatedly; this lessens the pain and allows them to heal faster.
Show them that you are available to listen by simply asking, “Do you feel like talking?”
Don’t try to undermine their loss; listen to them and always show them that you care.
If you can, offer any advice to them, maintain eye contact with them or give them a warm hug.
3. Provide Ongoing Support
Grief can cause one to neglect their basic needs and chores. Help your loved one with basic tasks such as; cleaning the house, cooking, childcare, laundry, and other errands.
Keep in touch with the grieving person by checking on them periodically and dropping by at their place. The bereaved person may seem fine on the outside but grieving on the inside. It is essential to avoid words like, “You are super strong” or “You are doing fine,” such comments tend to make them hide their true feelings to portray strong.
Grief can be suppressed, but it can’t be avoided.
The bereaved person must acknowledge the pain or loss. The suffering that has not been dealt with can result in complications such as depression, substance abuse, and other health complications. Please encourage them to talk about their loss, write down their thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Maintain hobbies and interests that bring joy and help connect with other people.
Look for grief” triggers” and avoid them at all costs. Holidays and Anniversaries can bring painful memories of loss. Planning and ensuring that the bereaved are not alone will go a long way to allow their healing process.
Loss is personal to everyone; no one should feel ashamed about how they think; it is usual to grieve the loss you’re encountering.
