Dealing with Loss and Grief

Losing someone you love is very painful. You experience all kinds of difficult emotions. While there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain .

Grief is a natural response to loss. Any loss can cause grief.
▪ Loss of health
▪ Losing a job
▪ Death of a pet
▪ Loss of a friendship
▪ A miscarriage
▪ Death

Sooner or later, each of us will experience loss and the grief that goes along with it. Dealing with it is difficult. Here are a few ways to help you cope.
** Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse – {face your grief}
** It’s important to be strong – Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. {Let family and friends help you.}
** Crying is a normal response – {but those who don’t cry feel the pain just as deeply.}
** There is no time frame for grieving. {Everyone is different} and grieving takes different lengths of time for each individual.

The 5 stages of Grief:
▪ Denial
▪ Anger
▪ Bargaining
▪ Depression
▪ Acceptance

If you are experiencing any of these emotions your reaction is natural .
symptoms of grief:
Disbelief
Anger
Physical symptoms – fatigue, nausea aches and pains, and insomnia.
Fear
Guilt
Sadness

Remember to turn to Family and Friends
Talk to a counselor
Join a support group
Rely heavily on your Faith

Don’t forget to stop by Next week 1/18 to read another article on Children and Grief.