The stages of mourning or grieving are universal and is almost something we all end up experiencing as part of life. We all have encountered the loss of our close ones at some point in our life. It might be due to a terminal or chronic illness, an accident or the end stage of one’s valued being. Be it members of our family, friends, acquaintances and even our loved animals for that matter.
We have all experienced certain natural symptoms during a close one’s loss. What are they? The sense of emptiness…the lack of sleeplessness…Or maybe something like a slowed thinking?
I have personally felt three of those symptoms besides crying, which we all tend to immediately do as part of our natural reaction.
Have you ever wondered what and how the symptoms of grieving actually affect us?
There are 4 categories in which we can split the way grieving affect us. They are Physical, Emotional, Behavioural and Social.
Physical
- A Feeling of Emptiness
- Sleeplessness
- Fatigue
- Crying
- Choking while speaking
- Changes in Weight
- Restlessness
- Drastic change in appetite
Emotional
- Loneliness
- Avoiding people/friends
- Anger
- Sense of numbness
- Sense of meaninglessness
- Irritability
- Fearing situations
Behavioural
- Socially Withdrawn
- Slowed thinking
- Sensing the loved ones presence
- Re-telling the story of the loved ones death
- Aimless wandering
- Trying their best not to talk about their loss of the loved one to make others feeling more comfortable.
Social
- Lack of interest
- Overly sensitive
- Avoiding others
- Lack of Initiatives
- Overly Dependant
- Withdrawn oneself from Family and Friends
Now, how do we manage grief? Here are some simple yet powerful ways to do so.
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Face your feelings
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Express your feelings to a friend or family member, also in a creative, tangible manner
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Look after your personal health
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You might know what might trigger you to grieve. So “plan” your “triggers”.