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Grief & Bereavement

How can I help the healing process?

Moving through grief is hard work, but attempting to avoid the pain and emotions of grief may only allow it to continue to cause pain. Remember that grief has its own schedule, and may ebb and flow over time.

There are ways to help yourself, which include asking for help from others, that can ease your way:

Talk to friends. Let friends who will listen know that you need to talk about your loss. It may be uncomfortable for some people to listen; tell them it will help you to express your sadness.

Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Try to eat well and take time for exercise, which can help you keep up your energy and feel refreshed.

Be gentle with yourself. You have suffered an emotional wound. Forgive yourself, too, for things you may have said, felt or done, or things you felt you should have done.

Do something indulgent. It's okay to seek some pleasurable activities in the midst of sadness – read, take naps every day if you want to, buy some new music or browse the video rentals.

Plan for holidays or anniversaries. These are times when, even though you may feel you've made progress, grief can be felt more sharply. Do what makes you comfortable – be with friends or family, or plan an activity to mark the occasion in a way that's meaningful to you.

The information on this website should be used only in a general sense to help you understand the grief process people typically undergo before and after death.  It should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance or counseling.

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More in this section:

• How does grief impact our lives?
• What is bereavement and what are its common stages?
• What is anticipatory grief?
• How can I help the healing process?
• Where can I receive grief and bereavement support?

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