Wellness Tips: Understanding Grief
Learn more about the physical, emotional and psychological symptoms of grief and how to understand them.
Today I want to talk a little bit about how to understand grief. Each of us will have milestones or accomplishments in our lives such as marriage or the birth of a child. Although these are more joyous occasions, the loss of a loved one is a milestone that each of us will face at sometime in our lives.
In order to understand grief, we must define grief. Grief is a natural emotion that may cause sadness or sorrow, and confusion after the loss of something or someone. One might experience grief following the loss of a job, loss of one’s health, a move away from home, divorce, and the loss of a loved one.
Signs and symptoms one might experience during grieving can be physical, emotional, or psychological. Signs and symptoms of grief may or may not include:
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- insomnia
- muscle weakness
- trouble breathing
- forgetful or absent minded
- nightmares or strange dreams
- may experience anger and guilt
- may withdraw socially
The above feelings and behaviors are just a few signs and symptoms of grief that are perfectly normal to experience. However, it is important to understand that each of us will deal with grief differently. Normally the grieving period can be anywhere from a few months to several years. When dealing with grief, you must accept the loss and learn to live with this loss. If you do not face the grief, this emotion can build up and become psychologically unhealthy.
Grief is normal and a part of life. Even though the loss of a loved one does not “feel” right, death is a part of the circle of life.
- Learn more about grief from the National Mental Health Information Center.
