Moving forward

For many people, grief still has a stigma attached and they believe it is better hidden or avoided. “Grieving is a natural process that shouldn’t be internalised, but should be encouraged and supported instead,” says David James Lee.

David suggests some ways you can help yourself when grieving… Self-help Reach out to others

Try not to isolate yourself or bottle things up. Talking about how you feel and what you are experiencing to people you are close with can help enormously.

Get enough sleep

The grieving process can use up large amounts of your emotional energy. If you do start to have sleeping problems, it’s important to let your GP know as a lack of sleep can affect our health.

Eat well

It’s hard to find enthusiasm to eat or cook when you’re feeling low, but it is very important to try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and eat at least one hot meal a day.

Keep to a routine

Losing a loved one can feel as though you’ve lost control over your life. Having a simple daily routine will give you some of this control back and make you feel safer and calmer at a time when you need stability.

Be patient with yourself

Give yourself time to heal and readjust. Well-meaning people may comment with clichés such as ‘time is a great healer’ or ‘it’s time to pull yourself together’, but each person grieves in a different way. Remember that your feelings are valid and normal.

Professional support

If you find yourself struggling with bereavement or associated emotions, it’s always best to seek professional help from an experienced talking-therapist or local grief support group. There are also a number of charities and helplines who can help, including: