The most important aspect for grieving people is learning to cope with their loss.
People who are grieving may need to keep certain coping tips in mind, including:
- Avoid isolation
- It is important for grieving people to talk to others and explain how they are feeling. They must not be afraid to ask for support.
- Take care of physical health
- People who are grieving still need to see a physician when feeling unwell. Most physical complications of grief can be eased by eating properly, exercising and getting plenty of rest.
- Postpone major decisions when possible.
- Grief may interfere with judgment. Major decisions may need to be postponed.
Tips for helping your loved ones cope with grief:
- Listen
- People who are grieving need to share their thoughts and feelings with others.
- Do not offer false comfort
- Comments such as “He’s in a better place now” or “At least she’s not suffering anymore” often do not help and may make the grieving person feel even worse.
- Offer practical help
- Grieving individuals may benefit from assistance with household chores or errands.
Tips to help children cope with grief include:
- Answer questions simply and honestly
- Children’s questions should be answered truthfully in terms the children can understand. Adults who try to protect children from the truth about death may actually do more harm.
- Maintain regular routines as often as possible
- Children need structure and routine. Though a loss may necessitate a change in structure, maintaining routines as much as possible can help children come to terms with the loss.
Other Useful Links regarding Grief
- Overview of Grief
- How long does grief last?
- People grieve for different periods of time and in different stages. Read more about how long grief lasts.
- Types of Grief
- Read more about the various types of grief that include nonfinite, anticipatory, anniversary reactions, and complicated grief.
- Signs and Symptoms of Grief
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