18/09/2023
Grief is the natural process which occurs in response to a loss. This loss can include losing a loved one, a relationship break-up, children leaving home, separation from friends/family, and infertility/miscarriage.
The experience of grief differs between each individual, and can last for weeks, months or years. Grief can affect your emotions, thoughts, behaviours, beliefs, sense of self and your interpersonal relationships. You may feel sad, angry, irritable, isolated, overwhelmed, anxious or numb. Working through these emotions and your grief takes time, but it is beneficial to also seek support from friends, family or healthcare professionals (such as a psychologist) to discuss your emotions and your loss.
Grief can be an exhausting process, therefore it is important to take care of your physical health by eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep. For more information on the physical symptoms of grief, please see the attached article.
For those supporting someone experiencing grief, be sure to regularly check in, to assist them in engaging in/talking about everyday life, to encourage them to seek professional help, and to offer support and assistance as household tasks may become difficult for someone experiencing grief.
The information in this post was adapted from Beyond Blue (2022).
The author of "Self-Care for Grief" talks to experts about the physical symptoms of grief, how they manifest, and how to manage them.
