Grief Support
Resources for Understanding Grief and Mourning
Grief is a natural response to the loss of someone important to us, but everyone is unique in how they cope with these feelings. It is normal to feel sad, numb, or even angry after losing a loved one. These feelings of grief can linger long after the loss — they can arise during holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, or other unexpected times. It is not uncommon to be “ambushed by grief” because of a sound, a smell, or a memory.
Grief also affects all aspects of ourselves: physical, emotional, psychological, behavioral, and spiritual. In addition to feeling emotional effects such as a sense of helplessness or guilt, there may also be physical effects like headaches, insomnia, or dizziness. You may struggle with your faith or experience withdrawal, over-activity, or moodiness.
Everyone experiences and expresses such losses in their own way and in their own time, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Because grief is such a unique reaction, the intensity, pattern, time frames, and resolution will vary for every individual.
As you cope with these dynamics, having the support of other people can help with healing; there are also a variety of resources available to you as you navigate this difficult time.
- How Grief Shows Up in Your Body — This WebMD article explores the physical symptoms of grief.
- The Mourner’s Bill of Rights — Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt explains that, as you grieve, you have certain rights that no one should take away from you.
- 9 Step Action Plan for Overcoming Loss and Grief — No one’s healing process will look the same, but this article outlines different steps to take while navigating grief.
- Loss, Grief, and Manliness: What Every Man Should Know about Losing a Loved One — This article is written specifically for men who may be grieving and unsure how to deal with the emotions they’re feeling.
- Dealing With Grief During the Holiday Season — The holidays can be a particularly challenging time after losing a loved one. This article offers advice on what to remember during the holiday season.
If you feel your grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings are unrelenting and interfering with your daily life for an extended period of time, it may mean you need to reach out for professional help. It can be helpful to seek support from persons or organizations experienced in the grief process.