The Grieving Heart: Hope and Healing after Loss of a Loved One

The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. I am sharing this with you because I have gone through the loss of both my parents and it has been the longest journey of my life. It is a time of great sadness, pain, and confusion. There is no one right way to feel, and everyone's grief journey is different but there are some common experiences that many of us go through.

• Shock and disbelief: In the immediate aftermath of a loss, it is common to feel numb, shocked, or in disbelief. This is a natural reaction to a sudden and unexpected change in your life.

• Sadness and grief: As the shock wears off, you will likely experience a deep sense of sadness and grief. This is a normal and healthy response to loss.

• Anger: It is also common to feel anger after a loss. This anger may be directed at the person who died, at yourself, or at the world in general.

• Guilt: You may also feel guilt after a loss. This guilt may be related to things you said or did to the person who died, or it may be related to things you didn't say or do.

• Loneliness: Grieving can be a very lonely experience. You may feel like you are the only one who is going through this, and you may feel isolated from the rest of the world.

It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Everyone grieves differently, and there is no timeline for grief. It is important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, and to find healthy ways to cope with your grief.

Here are some tips for healing after the loss of a loved one:

• Allow yourself to grieve: Don't try to suppress your emotions or pretend that you're not grieving. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, and to express them in a healthy way. Little things in life that normally would not bother you will make you upset. Remember it is ok to cry. Crying helps you feel better for a while. Keeping your emotions to yourself only makes you more unhappy.

• Talk to someone: Talking to someone about your grief can be helpful. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or grief counselor. You need a shoulder to cry on.

• Take care of yourself: Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise. Taking care of your physical health will help you to cope with your emotional health. Get a little help from your healthcare professional, be it counseling or medication to help you sleep while you recover from the shock.

• Exercise: Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Enjoy walking in the sun if that's all you are able to do. Vitamin D is good for mood regulation and therefore helps with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. Read the preceding blog about coping with anxiety and depression.

• Do things that make you happy: Find things that bring you joy and make you feel good. This could be spending time with loved ones, doing activities you enjoy, or simply taking some time for yourself. Try and find solace in the great memories that you shared with your loved one.

• Be patient with yourself: Grief is a process, and it takes time to heal. Be patient with yourself, and don't expect to feel better overnight. It has taken me a long time to heal but I still get teary when I talk about my mum. Special days like birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day would be difficult but give it time and slowly you will heal as well.

• Listen to music: listen to your favourite music. Music has been used for healing purposes for centuries. There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the idea that music can have a positive impact on our physical and mental health. Listening to music can help to distract us from pain and make it feel less intense. Calming music may help you drown your sorrows. Personally, music has helped me a lot on my emotional roller coaster.

Remember, you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help you through this difficult time. If you are struggling to cope with your grief, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

"Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow."

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let me know on the chat line.