1. Be gentle with yourself.
Grief can be exhausting during periods of intensive stress. Take time
to eat nourishing foods and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and sugar
may seem like a quick fix but they can actually have the opposite
effect.
2. Your feelings are normal.
Allow yourself to feel whatever it is that you feel; anger, sadness or
even relief. The emotions that accompany grief are all valid. Whatever
you are feeling at this given moment, it always makes sense and it is
normal. Always remember that.
3. Grief can beget meaning.
There is no getting over the loss of a loved one. It just becomes part
of life. You can always find ways to incorporate the loss into your
life as you move forward. Grief actually provides us an opportunity to
reflect on what matters most to us.
Dr. Lichtenthal highlights the importance of connecting to what gives
you a sense of meaning to help co-exist grief. She explains that these
sources of meaning are a reason to step out slowly into life each day
despite the pain you might be experiencing. Among these touchstones
might be a reflection about the person you want to be in the face of
life's challenges. Take it day by day, slowly.
4. It won't feel like this forever.
One of life's most difficult experiences is losing a loved one. It
would somewhat be easier if grief followed a linear path, with stages
that neatly fit into boxes. But big feelings can emerge all throughout
the grieving process. Understand that it is coming up, try to find
support, take care of yourself and allow it to go. Emotions can be
consuming but they are not permanent states.