Grief & Loss

What is grief?

• Grief is the natural and often intense emotional suffering experienced when someone or something we love is taken away, whether through death, incarceration of a loved one, loss of a relationship, or other significant change.

What are some reactions one can have to grief?

•  Everyone copes with death and grief differently. It is important to remember that grief can show up in different ways including: sadness, anger, denial, guilt, shock or numbness, yearning, helplessness, and depression.

• You may also feel physical symptoms including fatigue, changes in eating or sleeping habits, physical aches or pains. 

• Some may experience social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, or challenges with sticking to previous daily routines. 

What can I do? When will I start to feel better?

• It's important to note that grief can take many forms and can change over time. It is okay to feel grief for weeks, months, or longer. With time, you may experience a gradual change in how you feel, and you may also experience symptoms of grief that comes back in "waves."

• The level of grief you feel and the time you take to process grief is not a direct measure of how much you loved the person.

• One of the most helpful things you can do is identify supports, lean on others in your community, and find ways to express whatever emotions you may be feeling. We can express through nonverbal processes such as art, writing, or other creative means. It can also be helpful to maintain a sense of routine.

The person you love will remain in your heart and memories.