March 8, 2024 3 Min Read
Healing Amid Loss: Strategies for Surviving and Thriving
According to Coach Gianmichael Salvato, “Grief is a complex emotional journey, and it’s not uncommon to experience a rollercoaster of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion. It can also be an isolating experience.”
You don’t have to go through this alone. If you feel lost or seek support, please contact a TaskHuman coach. You can nurture a glimmer of hope together because a bit of connection can illuminate the darkest days.
Understanding Grief: The Five Stages
Navigating the fog of grief can be daunting. But here’s a compass – the five stages of grief, well-documented by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross:
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Denial: A sense of disbelief, “This isn’t happening.”
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Anger: A period of frustration and questions, “Why is this happening?”
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Bargaining: Attempting to negotiate with higher powers, “I’ll change if…”
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Depression: A phase of sadness and hopelessness, “I’m too sad to do anything.”
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Acceptance: Coming to terms with reality, “I’m at peace with what happened.”
Remember, grief is unpredictable—more like a roller coaster than a ladder. These stages are cyclic and non-linear. Expect to swing back and forth. Allowing this fluid timeline can be your big step toward healing.
Surviving Loss: Practical Tips
Believe it or not, a little self-care can go a long way when grappling with loss. Here are some tactics you can put into play:
1. Sleep, Nutrition, and Exercise
A good night’s sleep, balanced meals, and regular workouts can do wonders for your mental well-being.
These are the absolute baseline ways to look after yourself. They are typically the first to slip when dealing with a hard life and challenging emotions, either by forgetting them or seeking unhealthy but distracting alternatives.
Work to get your fundamentals in check, and you’ll feel a world of good, even if you can’t manage anything else right now.
2. Habits and Routine
Creating and maintaining a daily routine can bring your world a comforting sense of order. It’s the small steps that add up.
It’s challenging to plan and structure a day and ensure everything is in order when you’re suffering, so try to set yourself up in a way that takes away the thought.
3. Emotional Management
Don’t shy away from your feelings – express them. Journaling or engaging in a creative activity can help channel your emotions constructively.
Remember, it’s about doing what works for you. So, experiment a little. Find your rhythm.
Finding Connection: Support Networks and Therapy
In grief recovery, connection is your superpower. However, it’s not always easy. Somehow, we simultaneously realize how important others are while forgetting to connect with them.
How to Connect?
- Offline Connections: Local support groups can be a treasure trove of empathy and understanding. Remember, it’s okay to lean on others in hard times.
- Online Networks: Grief forums and online support communities can provide solace at your fingertips.
- Engage with a TaskHuman Coach: If you need support but aren’t one to join a group, consider finding a TaskHuman coach to help you through these tough times.
Thriving After Loss: Cultivating Resilience
Imagine emerging from loss stronger than before.
It’s called “post-traumatic growth”—a blossoming of empathy, a renewed appreciation for life, and a fierce personal strength. No pain is ever wasted; remember that.
How to Build Resilience?
- Mindfulness: Anchor yourself in the present moment. Breathe in, breathe out. Feel those emotions; don’t evade them.
- Goal-setting: Set small, achievable goals. They provide a sense of purpose, a north star to guide you in the fog of grief.
Resilience is key in grief recovery. The research says so, too! Data proves how resilience helps people adapt better post-loss.
Conclusion: The Journey of Healing
As we wrap up here, remember that your healing journey resembles a winding road full of ups and downs, highs and lows. That’s perfectly okay.
An astounding number of individuals have survived loss and thrived in its aftermath. They sourced their strength from hope and resilience. You can, too.
And always remember, it’s more about traversing one day at a time rather than reaching a finish line. Grief isn’t a race. It’s okay to slow down, take breaks, catch your breath. And know we’re here for every step of your journey.
