Grief is an unwanted journey one has to go on after the loss of a loved one. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with emotions as you work through the phases of grief, so it’s important to remember to care for yourself.

The finality of death can cause your body to go into shock and numbness, especially when it’s someone whose presence in your life may have never wavered. The loss of their support, guidance and friendship can leave an emptiness that may seem impossible to heal, even if their death was expected.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve someone you have lost but we have put together ways in which you can consider a starting place as you begin to acknowledge your loss..

1. Support

You cannot travel on this journey alone. You need the support and care of others even if you don’t enjoy it at this very moment. Call on a trusted family member or friend, or even a counsellor for advice on how you can overcome this feeling.

2. Acceptance

Never try to bottle your feelings or hide from your grief. You need to experience the pain in order to move past it and move towards the healing process

3. Guidance

You aren’t the first person to have travelled this painful path, there are others who came before you and there will be plenty who will come after. Discover how others have coped with their loss and this will provide you with a foundation to heal and remind you that you are never alone. Additionally, you will be able to help others who will go through this in the future.

4. Express your emotions

Let it out. Let go of what you’re feeling. You can do this by crying, screaming, journaling and even exercising. Express the way you feel through art, poetry or music. Whichever way you choose to express yourself you will soon begin to honour it and work through it.

5. Acceptance

Many feelings can surface when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Acknowledge these feelings and accept them as a part of your healing process. Don’t hold onto the anger or sadness.

6. Learn

As morbid as it sounds, the more you learn about grief and remove the myths that surround it, the more you will realise that grief and grieving is completely normal.

7. Pace yourself

Grief can be exhausting. It takes a lot of energy to feel so much so intensely. Allow yourself plenty of time to do everyday activities and don’t overwork yourself. Rest when you need to and remember to always breathe.

8. Involve yourself

Getting involved in a new hobby or activity can be a great way to keep your mind focussed and offer a distraction from your grief. If that activity is especially meaningful or helpful to others, you might find that it also raises your spirits and you’ll feel some sort of comfort.

9. Fun

Sometimes grieving doesn’t allow individuals to have fun – almost as if giggling at a joke or sharing a laugh with others is somehow dishonouring those we have lost. The truth is, laughter is best medicine.

10. Keep the faith

Remember that intense grief doesn’t last forever. It will definitely hurt but as the days go by it will hurt less and less. Always remember to keep the faith that you will one day heal and be whole again whilst carrying your loved ones with you as the days go by in the only place that matters – the heart.

We, at Voices Unite would like to extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to our readers that may have lost someone special due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We send you lots of strength and hope during this trying time.