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The topic of death and dying is not exactly the most popular among mortals. No one wants to have to face their own mortality or the mortality of their loved ones. However, things do happen and people do die. It is how you cope with death that is important. dealing with death is a process where the recovery time factor varies from person to person.
There should be psychologically healthy limits on the recovery process. Sometimes it takes some guidance and help to get through the recovery process.
Since death is a traumatic event in your life, you will need to recognize the fact that your whole life has changed and you have to find a way to get through the loss and move forward.
Acceptance: The first step in dealing with the loss of a loved one is acceptance. This means dealing with the cause of death and wrapping your mind around the death of your loved one. The initial shock of losing someone to death can take the "reality" out of the equation and you need to bring yourself into reality before you can begin the process of dealing with death.
The healthiest way to accept the death of a loved one is to ask questions and go through things that led up to their death. This will lead to the acceptance you need so you can move on to accepting it in your heart.
Remembering your loved one's life and death helps to bring acceptance into your heart. Avoiding these thoughts and memories can cause more emotional damage and slow your healing time.
Find Your New Identity: Losing a person close to you like your parents, grandparents, spouse, sibling or a close friend means you lose a piece of your identity. For instance, it is likely that people referred to you as Joe's wife, father or brother or Jane's mother, sister or husband. This is also how you identified yourself.
The time of recovery after the death of a loved is a time of rediscovery. It usually means digging really deep and discovering who you really are which is vital when you are dealing with death. Other factors that fall under rediscovering your identity include the little pet names your loved one called you during your life.
There are different ways in which to start feeling content and secure with your new identity. Hobbies, church, support groups and other new activities are a good way to find out who you are and get comfortable with it. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, as long as you do come to acceptance and allow yourself to move forward in life.
It might even help to imagine what your loved one would have wanted for you. Ask yourself if he or she would want you to spend your life grieving and being depression over their passing. It is not likely that anyone would want that for their loved ones.
Coping with bereavement is important to your own well-being and that is what your loved one would want you to do. Deal with their death and go on with your life.
