Grief and Loss

If someone close to you has died, or you have experienced divorce or another major source of sadness, you may experience

• Physical expressions of grief such as intense and unpredictable crying and sighing, headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, weakness, fatigue, feelings of heaviness, aches, pains, and other stress-related ailments.
• Emotional expressions of grief including feelings of sadness and yearning. Feelings of worry, anxiety, frustration, anger, or guilt are also common.
• Social expressions of grief such as feeling detached from others, isolating yourself from social contact, and behaving in ways that are not normal for you.
• Spiritual expressions of grief which may include questioning the reason for your loss, the purpose of pain and suffering, the purpose of life, and the meaning of death.

Sooner or later, each of us will experience that dagger in the heart called grief. Dealing with grief is a challenge like no other. How can you pick up the pieces, heal the wounds, and move on without feeling like you’re betraying the memory of your loved one?  How can you move on when all your hopes and dreams have been shattered, and all you are left with are bitter memories?

Coping with grief is a difficult and complicated process, and that there’s no convenient timeline you can follow to truly “get over” your grief. If you manage your emotions to the best of your ability, get help and support, and remember to take care of yourself, you can slowly start to feel better.  

It is frequently very helpful to talk to someone about your loss.  Someone uninvolved. Someone who is not just going to give you platitudes, and someone who has been in your shoes and really knows what it feels like.