Stages of grief and ways to start healing

Grieving is normal and necessary

At some point in life, everyone experiences grief over a loved one or heartbreaking event. This can be a long and daunting process, as it’s not always easy to pick yourself right back up again and move on with life. It’s normal and necessary to go through the grief stages and process your emotions so that you can eventually start healing.

Understanding the stages of grief

Grieving is not a linear process; it is different for everyone and can take months, even years. However, it is helpful to familiarise yourself with the five common stages of grief to identify what might be going on in your own experience.

The five stages of grief are:

1. Denial: It is a normal reaction to shock and can provide a feeling of safety and protection from the pain.

2. Anger: This can be directed at anyone or anything and can manifest as outbursts of emotion.

3. Bargaining: This is the stage when you’re searching for the “right” answer and want to avoid the inevitable.

4. Depression: This is a natural response when the reality starts to set in and it is important to be kind to yourself at this stage.

5. Acceptance: This is the end of the grieving process and the start of the healing process.

Ways to start healing

Grieving is a difficult process, but there are ways to try to help and heal. Below are a few tips to help you or someone you know and care about to start the healing process:

1. Talk to someone: It can be hard to say out loud the emotions you are feeling and why, but talking to a trusted friend or family member can help. Additionally, a mental health professional may be helpful for those feeling overwhelmed.

2. Stay connected: Staying connected to friends and family, even when you don’t feel like it, can help. Having someone to lean on who understands your loss can make a world of difference when you’re feeling especially lost.

3. Exercise: Exercise has been scientifically proven to release endorphins, which can help to improve your mood and energy levels.

4. Practice self-care: Self-care looks different for everyone but self-care for grief may include massage, bubble baths, nature walks or trying a new hobby. Take some time for yourself to do something that brings you joy and peace.

5. Connect with your faith: Whatever faith or belief system you ascribe to, connecting with it can help to provide a sense of purpose and connection in times of grief.

6. Take time: It is important to remind yourself that grief is not a race or a set timeline. It can take years to fully accept and move on from the grief and that is okay.

7. Seek professional help: A mental health professional can help to work through difficult emotions without having to worry about burdening a friend or family member.

These are just a few ways to start the healing process and it is important to remember that you will grieve in your own time and to take each day as it comes; and that crying, angry outbursts and reaching out for help is all part of the natural process of healing.

Grief can be an all-encompassing emotion. It is normal and necessary to give yourself time to grieve, cry and process the emotions you feel in order to eventually start healing and move on. The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. There are many ways to start healing including talking to a friend or a mental health professional, staying connected, exercising, practicing self-care, connecting with faith, taking time and seeking professional help. Remember there is no correct or incorrect way to grieve and that you can always reach out for help when in need.