Going through the death of a loved one is a profound life challenge that can be extremely painful. Everyone handles challenges differently, and it’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. However, there are some steps you can take to help ease the pain and make it easier to cope with daily life. Below are a few suggestions to help navigate this difficult situation. 

4 Suggestions for Coping With Grief

1. Spend Time With Friends & Family

It’s common to feel like withdrawing when grieving the death of a loved one. But isolating yourself and shutting people out can often intensify your feelings of pain during a trying life challenge. Instead, reach out to friends and family members you feel close to and allow them to be pillars of support. Talking about your feelings and spending time with other people can help ease extreme feelings of sadness. 

2. Keep Yourself Busy Doing Tasks You Love

People often feel guilty engaging in activities they enjoy after someone they love passes away. However, it’s important to practice self-care when going through difficult life challenges, and that includes doing activities that make you happy. Taking a yoga class, watching a movie, or meeting a friend for coffee are all excellent ways to lift your spirits and experience a change of pace.

3. Don’t Shut out Your Feelings

Processing grief is painful, and it can be tempting to push the feelings away. But studies show that grieving is a natural part of loss that ultimately helps people cope and move on in a healthy way. Allow yourself to feel sad, cry, and mourn your loss fully, even if it feels uncomfortable. Moving through the pain will help you work through your feelings and come out stronger on the other end.

4. Speak With a Counselor

Talking with a therapist or grief counselor can be extremely helpful when going through the death of a loved one. A trained professional can help you process your feelings and teach you coping techniques to help you get through difficult days.

If you’re having difficulty coping after the death of a loved one, Audrey Berger, PhD, of Turning Point Life Coaching can help. For more than 40 years, this compassionate psychologist and life coach has helped clients throughout the Rochester, NY, area deal with grief and other painful life challenges. She offers comfortable and convenient sessions in-person, online, and over-the-phone. Visit her website to learn more or call (585) 292-0095 to schedule an appointment.