UNDERSTAND THE STAGES

As a general rule, there are four phases of grief:

1 Accepting that your loss is real.

2 Experiencing the pain of grief.

3 Adjusting to life without the person or thing you have lost.

4 Gradually putting less emotional energy into grieving and more into something new. ‘It’s important to keep in mind that these stages are personal for every individual and will vary in duration and order,’ explains Dr Radha. ‘Grief can seem chaotic and doesn’t always follow a perfectly linear path or particular order, so don’t assume you “should” feel a certain way at a certain time – your journey will be uniquely yours.’