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January 25, 2022 | Mental Health | Healthy You
Acknowledging and letting yourself grieve can help you overcome loss of all kinds.
Across the globe people are grieving every kind of loss imaginable.
Most tragically, we grieve those who have died due to COVID-19 or other health conditions that might have been treated, if not for the pandemic.
Many are also deeply hurting for the missed opportunity to say a final good-bye to someone in hospice care.
These losses are extremely difficult, even in the best of times. If someone you love has died in recent months, give yourself grace and time to absorb the shock of this change and find strength to go on. This can take months or even years. Learn more about grief and grieving for a loved one.
Those who haven’t lost a loved one might think they have no right to grieve.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Loss comes in many forms. Millions have lost jobs, businesses and the other major aspects that shape daily lives and lifelong goals.
And everyone—to one degree or another—is experiencing some form of loss or is missing things that make life feel complete.
From special rites of passage such as junior proms and graduations to major life events such as weddings and new babies to beloved annual traditions, birthday celebrations and long-anticipated vacations, let alone the everyday activities we took for granted like play dates, sleepovers and casually popping into a grocery store.
Additionally, many of us are feeling grief about the state of our society; noticing the continued work we have to do around diversity and inclusion.
None of these things is as permanent as a death, but when taken all together, the collective losses take a heavy toll mentally and emotionally. It’s not just one disappointment, but a whole host of things that weigh us down.
According to mental health experts, feelings of loss are personal and each person needs to find ways to cope with loss throughout life.
It’s healthy to recognize when you’re grieving.
Whatever loss you’ve experienced, your feelings are valid and worth exploring. In fact, living with unresolved grief can have lasting effects on your health.
And if you’re a parent, not only do you feel your own losses, but you’re also helping your child or teen deal with their feelings as well. And their losses in many respects are yours.
Here are some steps to give yourself — and others — space and permission to acknowledge our losses – whether during the pandemic or even before.
Find ways to alleviate the pain you’re feeling, depending on the type and intensity of the loss.