Grief

Grief if a natural healing process that allows you to adjust to a significant change or loss. Grief may be expressed physically or emotionally and may have some of the same symptoms as depression. The following tips may help you move through the grieving process.

- Take as much time as you need to grieve. Don't fight the emotions you feel.

- Discuss your feelings with friends who will listen to and support you while encouraging you to reconnect with the world. Joining a support group or talking to a clergyperson or a counsellor also may help.

- Write your thoughts down in a journal or paint or draw your grief. Or write letters to the person you lost.

- Try to cut back on some of your usual responsibilities and activities until your grieving period is past. Postpone any major decisions.

- As you begin to move beyond your grief, renew old interests and pursue new ones. Do things that give you a sense of control and hope.

Call your doctor if grieving continues without improvement for more than four weeks.