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Approximately 150,000 people die every day worldwide. Death is an unavoidable part of life that becomes more relevant as we age.
Still, with every death comes mourning. Dealing with the death of a parent, sibling, friend, or other loved one is emotionally draining and difficult.
What are the best methods for dealing with death? How can you start to regain your life and move on?
Keep reading to learn about five ways how to deal with the death of a loved one.
- Journal or Create Art
When you lose someone you love, you often go through a roller coaster of emotions. First, you might feel shocked, then overwhelmed and upset, followed by stress, fear, or deep grief. The roller coaster can move in all directions, looping in and out of emotional states.
Journaling and creating art allow us to sit with and express our emotions without boundaries. When you are drawing, painting, or crafting, you can project your feelings without judgment.
- Share Feelings with a Loved One
While journaling and creating art are excellent ways to deal with death, it is important to also have conversations with other people about your feelings. When a family member dies, the whole family usually comes together to grieve. Instead of bottling up your feelings, embrace the opportunity to talk with people who understand exactly what you’re going through.
- Revisit Cherished Memories
While you are talking with friends and family, tell stories about your lost loved one. If you are dealing with a parent’s death, for example, try to recall special moments you shared together. Swap stories about camping trips, first cars, dance recitals, and anything else you can think of.
If you feel comfortable, try to also revisit memories in person. Stopping by your loved one’s old home or their favorite restaurant can help the death seem more “real” and final. Long gravesite visits can be made more comfortable with the help of SuperNova bench models.
- Cry as Much as You Need
Crying is crucial to processing death. Crying helps our brains compartmentalize the experience, which aids in processing. Letting yourself cry will also release endorphins to help you feel better.
If you don’t like to cry in front of others or you don’t cry much at all, take time for yourself to cry alone. During the first few weeks after the death, cry whenever the mood strikes. Bottling up your feelings will only make the grieving process harder.
- Join a Support Network
Like talking to friends and family members, joining a support network is very beneficial for dealing with death. Members of grief support groups know exactly how you feel, as they are dealing with losses of their own.
At a support group meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to share all of your feelings without judgment and listen to other people’s stories. Group leaders will help you learn how to deal with death. You may also learn some helpful quotes or scripture for dealing with death.
Dealing with Death
Dealing with the death of a parent, spouse, friend, or other family is never easy, but you are not alone. Above all, remember that you are allowed to feel any kind of emotions during the grieving process.
Be present. Sit with your positive and negative feelings, and give yourself the grace to work through your feelings in time.
Have these methods helped you in dealing with death? Check out our other health and lifestyle articles!
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