Ways to Cope with the Death of a Loved One

Most people at one point or another in their lives have lost a loved one. Even when you know it is coming and believe you are prepared for it you are not. Death is a part of life unfortunately and unfortunately will always be. As healthy and strong as we may be we will die as well one day and so will everyone around us. This may be a rather dark thought but before reading this guide you need to be in the mindset. What you are about to read is how I have dealt with death. Coming from a large family I have dealt with death many times and even from within my immediate family. I have listed the ways in which I was able to cope, some of these may not work for you but give them a try. Do your best to steer clear of the situations I have listed as bad for you.

• Surround yourself with others you care about. Take an interest in their lives.
• Push yourself to finish unfinished projects or start on new project to keep your mind busy.
• In the case of death of an immediate family member you should take time off from work. Three days of bereavement is not enough nor draining your vacation time. Take a leave of absence and deal with your feelings.
• Talk with your significant other about what has happened share your sorrow and gain strength in the sharing. They are there to lean on, allow them to be for you what you would be for them.
• Get rest as you need it. Sleep deprivation only drives up the feeling of desperation you are feeling.
• Take a break from your surroundings. While it is true that there is no real escaping what has happened going away for a few days and seeing somewhere new can help.

While many of the above things can help those below are horrible for your state of mind again these are things I have come to understand through trial and error.

• Don't listen to dark and sorrowful music. You may identify with what is being played but unlike sharing and talking about what has happened the end result of listening can effect you to such a degree that you may be flirting with clinical depression.
• Make yourself eat. When someone very close to you dies it can effect you so much that the effect passes from mental to physical. You will lose not just your appetite but you will to prepare meals or eat. You must make a concentrated effort to curb this behavior. If you have to order out, do it.
• Don't allow yourself to be alone for long periods of time. When people are by themselves for long periods of time the only thing to do is think. Right after someone close dies it is very easy to dwell on despair and this is something to be avoided whenever possible. If you have to go to a crowded bus station just to be around other people do it.
• Allow yourself to understand that although you feel like you needed to say so many things that were left unsaid if the person was a loved one they knew how you felt.
• Walking the path of self destruction is not an option. When your burning inside with terrible sadness, anger, pain, so much negativity you are drawn to negative things. Alcohol, drugs, as well as destroying things can become an outlet but this isn't the way to deal with it. Think about what the deceased would think if they knew what you are doing.
• Suicide will not bring them back. You may wish to trade places, that it had been you, to be with them. Whatever your thinking is in this case suicide will not change what has happened. Understand that all of the horrendous feelings you feel will be revisited upon those close to you when you die and you don't want to subject others to that. You may also have responsibilities in this world as a mother, father or functioning member of a family, what would they do without you? Again the deceased would not want you to waste your life because they are gone. Live for them, honor them, make every day of your life count for something. Keep their memory alive.