7 Tools for Processing Grief by Mimi Rothschild
Grief is a strong emotional response to loss. Grief is defined as the emotion most commonly experienced in the context of death, such as the death of a loved one or the death of a person in the process of death. These include a variety of psychological (social-behavioral, cognitive and physiological-physical) signs. 1
Another definition of grievous is including a depressed mood, craving, and loneliness, finding the decease. Sadness is marked by contradictions. On the other hand, process to grief is a natural, positive healing process that helps us deal with and release the trauma of loss that is often unavoidable. 2
Grief Attributes
Grief is a classic instinctive psychological reaction to loss. Thoughts, feelings, and actions are typical. Acute grief is a mixture of pain and sadness, accompanied by thoughts, memories, and images of death and the deceased, and tends to pay more attention to the inner world than to everyday life.8 Complex grief is a relatively new condition that affects about 7% of survivors. People with this condition are preoccupied with thinking about death situations. On the other hand, the molecular expression of sadness is unique to all relationships, like love. 3
Tools to process grief
Natural healing
Addressing loss and recovery simultaneously promotes natural healing and help in moving away from emotional pain and engaging in the process of facing it. Exercises are particularly useful for facilitating learning of both the implicit and explicit memory systems. Positive emotions promote optimal creativity and problem-solving, as well as help the person physical and emotional well-being. 3 Complex sadness is a syndrome in which normal sadness persists for long term due to complications of the natural healing process. 9
Medications
Communication may be a helpful part of treatment. Anti-depressants have proven to be useful in treatment and may be part of a therapeutic resource for complex grief.
3
Be kind to yourself
One should take care of body, under great stress. Take naps, eat nutritious food, and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and sugar seem like a quick solution, but in reality, they can have the opposite effect.4
Healing your heart
Grief is one of the most complex aspects of the human experience. Everyone has a different look and feel, and it is difficult to know how to respond when there is no proper way. You don't always understand how you feel, but your body does. Sadness is a natural human emotion. One of the most important aspects of sadness is that there is no right or wrong feeling. Sometimes it's overwhelming and even lame, and sometimes it's okay. So it is very essential to enjoy each moment of life to haling your heart. 5
Laughter as a gift
Laughter triggers a surprising release of positive chemicals in our brains. It improves hormonal balance and relaxes all parts of the central nervous system, allowing us to deal with life in a few different ways. 6
Therapy through art
Art therapy uses creativity to heal and overcome grief. It can help maintain, improve and restore function and well-being. The concept of art therapy is based on the belief that artistic and creative expression can heal us. Painting, drawing, coloring, making collages, and even sculpting are all common art therapy activities. 7
Bottom line
Natural remedies, Medications, and Feelings need to be normal, Be kind to yourself, Heal your heart, have Laughter as a gift, and tools for griefing. Don’t
permit yourself to run away or separate yourself to deal with grief alone.
References
1 Dunne, K., 2004. Grief and its manifestations. Nursing Standard (through 2013), 18(45), p.45.
2 Weiss, R. S. (2008). The nature and causes of grief.
3 Shear, M.K., 2022. Grief and mourning gone awry: pathway and course of complicated grief. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience.
4 Antonucci, T., Akiyama, H. and Takahashi, K., 2004. Attachment and close relationships across the life span. Attachment & human development, 6(4), pp.353-370.
5 https://caps.arizona.edu/tools-for-grieving.
6 https://newlife.com/7-tools-to-process-grief/
7 Ackerman, C.E., 3. Grief counseling therapy techniques and interventions. acessado em, 6(1), p.2020.
8 hear, M. K. (2012). Getting straight about grief. Depression and anxiety, 29(6), 461-464.
9 Özge, E. N. E. Z. (2018). Complicated grief: Epidemiology, clinical features, assessment and diagnosis. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 10(3), 279-289.
Mimi Rothschild is the Founder and CEO of the Global Grief Institute which provides Certification training programs for Grief Coach, Trauma Coach, End of Life Coach, and Children's Grief Coach. She is a survivor who has buried 3 of her children and her husband of 33 years. She is available for speaking engagements and comments to the press on any issue surrounding thriving after catastrophic loss. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Info@GlobalGriefInstitute.com