"Happiness is Beneficial to the Body, but it is Grief that Develops the Powers of the Mind."
-Marcel Proust
"Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing.
Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming.
All we can do is learn to swim."
-Vicki Harrison
Although there is no therapy that will take away the pain of loss, or will make difficult decisions easy, or provide certainty in times of doubt, therapy can be a powerful tool for finding a path through situations that may seem impossible. Life comes with a certain amount of struggle, and everyone reacts differently to loss. Finding a trusted therapist can help to ease the journey and provide clarity along the way.
Specific strategies that we know can be helpful include:
SELF-CARE-getting enough rest, eating healthy foods, seeking out sources of positive emotional support, incorporating healthy movement, and doing things you enjoy.
SELF-COMPASSION-Learning to recognize moments when you're struggling, acknowledging that life can be difficult, and being kind to yourself in words and actions.
For more on this topic, see the work of Kristen Neff at SelfCompassion.org
RESOURCES