Grief is often associated with the death of a loved one, but it can also be experienced when we lose something or someone important to us whilst they are still alive. This is known as living grief. Living grief can be caused by many different things, such as:
The end of a relationship
The loss of a job
A serious illness or injury
A move to a new city or country
The loss of a pet
The estrangement from a loved one
Living grief can be just as painful and debilitating as the grief that follows the death of a loved one. However, it can be more difficult to cope with because it is often less understood and accepted by others.
People who are experiencing living grief may feel a range of emotions, including:
Sadness
Anger
Guilt
Shame
Confusion
Loneliness
Isolation
They may also experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and difficulty sleeping.
If you are experiencing living grief, it is important to know that, no matter how it feels, you are not alone. There are also many resources available to help you cope, such as grief support groups and individual therapy.
Here are some tips for coping with living grief:
Allow yourself to grieve. Don't try to suppress your emotions or pretend that you're not hurting.
Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or grief support group.
Take care of yourself physically. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.
Avoid making any major life decisions until you've had time to grieve.
Be patient with yourself. Healing from grief takes time and unfortunately there are no shortcuts.
If you are struggling to cope with living grief, please reach out for help. There are people who care about you and want to support you through this difficult time. You can also contact us at Beam to schedule a 1:1 therapy appointment.