Tips For Dealing With The Death of a Loved One Posted on August 15, 2019, updated on March 4, 2024 by Gateway Counseling The death of a loved one is a very trying event for anyone. Grief is something that everyone has to deal with at some time or another, and it can be difficult to understand or cope with. We always think that we will know how to handle it, but when it happens, and you are in the storm of emotions; it’s different. When grieving, it can be hard to look at it rationally and find a process that works for you. Here is a good way to start: Allow Yourself to Process The Emotions Allow yourself to mourn. If you can take a day or two to let it all out at once, it can help tremendously. You have to let it happen as it unfolds, for it to happen quickly and efficiently. The more you try to hide it or push it off, the longer it will take you to heal. The emotions will happen naturally, and you have to process them naturally. Know that there is nothing new or odd about it, this is something that everyone goes through. If you need to cry, then cry. Do not worry about people seeing you. If that is a problem, go to a bathroom or excuse yourself and find a private place. The freedom to mourn is essential in the first days after the death of a grandparent or any family member or friend. Do Things That Make You Happy After the death of a loved one, we tend to question our lives and how short life can be. We may also feel down about ourselves and our quality of life. This is a good time to immerse yourself into activities that will help you channel your feelings. If you love to paint or play a sport, then you should do that now. If you don’t have a hobby, but used to love to color, that will help too! There are plenty of adult coloring books that you can find, but it doesn’t have to be one of those. A simple coloring book and crayons from the dollar store will work just as well! This is a good way for you to think about something else and get a little color into your life. It will help you relax, but still, let your brain process the emotions you’re experiencing. If you don’t have a hobby and think that coloring seems silly, try finding one. It could be something like joining a meetup or church group to talk about something like books or food. Now is a great time for you to explore your emotions via expressive channels. Take Your Time There is no timeframe when dealing with the death of a loved one. It doesn’t matter if it was your parent, child, friend, or anyone else close to you. Everyone has their own unique timeframe for mourning. There is no textbook time for how long your grieving should last. Some people grieve quickly while others may grieve for the rest of their life. But, there is no time limit on mourning. You will take as long as is needed and no more. Once you can process everything, you will move a step closer. The more you process and mourn, the closer you will get. It is likely that you will never get over it. But, you’ll get better from where you are now. Talk About It Talking about the death of a loved one can also be very helpful, once you’re ready. It will help you mourn, and it will keep any guilt or negative feelings in check. This is something you want to do with a professional, as they deal with this process all the time. You can talk to friends and family as well, but sometimes they can be biased or even harsh. Having a professional help, you will offer you insight and some new tools to help you along the way. They will be able to let you know when you are irrational and when you are moving forward. You need to feel open and be honest about things that are going on, but mostly how you are feeling. Being honest about your feelings will help you grieve, and that will help you move forward. You can start your search here. Grieving the death of a loved one can be a very trying time for anyone. The important thing to know is that whatever amount of time you think you need or whatever coping mechanisms you need; that is what works for you. Reaching Out You have to be able to let it out, in the way that feels natural for you, this will help you cope completely and quickly. You are the one who has to process what you are going through and only you know how to do that. But, a professional can offer you guidance and make sure that you reign in any negative emotions and habits.