Coping With Grief Through Self-Reflection

 Recent high-profile deaths have been a major focus of television news coverage. They have also received an almost endless amount written coverage online and in entertainment magazines. We first heard about the death of Ed McMahon. He is without doubt the most well-known sidekick in the history of television. His role in popular culture and as an indispensable companion to Johnny Carson for over thirty years is unquestionable. We were then shocked to hear that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett had died in the same day. We witnessed a rapid outpouring in emotion and grief, especially for Michael Jackson's sudden death. This loss to society led me to reflect on how grief is handled when we lose someone we know intimately. We may say something like, "It's too sad." He was an incredible talent." Or "I feel like a part of me has gone with him." The pain of losing a spouse, parent, or child is often more intense and lasts longer.

Professionals can offer many suggestions on how to handle the grief process. It is important to surround yourself by caring people. These people could be family members or friends who are familiar with the particular relationship you are grieving, or a support group that shares a similar experience. Your physical health must be maintained. You must ensure that you eat well, get enough sleep (but not too many), and exercise on a regular basis. Your mind and spirit will heal quicker if you are in good physical condition. Be patient with yourself. Don't rush to grieve the loss of a close friend or family member. Try to be present with every emotion you feel and allow it to pass. There is no way to reduce the sadness or grief.

To fully embrace your emotions and to heal from grief, you need to take some time to be with yourself. People who are in pain often try to keep busy to avoid the quiet moments of self-reflection. It is possible to heal yourself by allowing yourself to look inward. If done with intention and an open mind, these moments can be very healing. Relaxation techniques such as hypnosis are one way to achieve this. You will find your unconscious mind opens up and soon you will be able retrain your thoughts so you don't feel the burden of pain and depression. At some point, the death of a loved one can be celebrated and not treated as a loss. You can choose to live the life you want! This is what you owe to your loved ones who are still so important to you.