Grieving After Loss: A Natural, Human Response
The loss of a loved one can be a crushing blow, leaving an unfillable void in our lives. As the brain struggles to process this new reality, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate the healing process.
Research has shown that grief produces hormonal changes that affect not only our emotions but also our physical well-being. This response is part of being human, and acknowledging it can help us approach those who are hurting with greater empathy.
Grief affects everyone differently, but understanding its stages can provide comfort and guidance. The five common stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - may not be a strict sequence for everyone, but they serve as a guide to healing.
In the initial stage of denial, we often find ourselves reaching out to loved ones, only to be reminded that they're no longer with us. This is our brain's way of coping with the emotional impact of loss. As we move through the stages, it's essential to acknowledge and validate each person's unique experience.
Anger is a common reaction, directed inward or toward others. Bargaining attempts to regain control or rewrite the outcome. Depression can follow, affecting sleep, energy, and daily life. Acceptance is the final stage, where we learn to live with our loss and keep our loved one's memory alive.
For those supporting someone in grief, it's crucial to understand that this process can be dynamic and overwhelming at times. Dr. Ryan Connolly notes that "grief can be highly dynamic" and that even seemingly happy events like holidays or birthdays can become somber occasions. The key is empathy, presence, patience, and stability.
Helping someone heal after loss requires more than words; it's about being there for them, listening without judgment, acknowledging their grief when they're ready, letting them grieve in their own way, being patient with their unique emotional landscape, and checking in consistently. Acts of self-care like meditation or journaling can also soothe the nervous system.
Additionally, talking to a mental health professional is a powerful step toward healing, validating feelings, and processing loss for rebuilding a sense of meaning. Healing doesn't mean forgetting; it means learning to live with their memory in a way that supports growth.
Resources are available both locally and nationally to support those navigating personal loss or supporting someone who's hurting. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), Veterans Crisis Line (988, then press 1 or text 838-255), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (800-662-4357), and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741-741) are just a few options.
For IBX members, Behavioral Health Care Navigation teams can provide personalized support, scheduling appointments with in-network providers, and access to digital emotional wellness exercises.
The loss of a loved one can be a crushing blow, leaving an unfillable void in our lives. As the brain struggles to process this new reality, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate the healing process.
Research has shown that grief produces hormonal changes that affect not only our emotions but also our physical well-being. This response is part of being human, and acknowledging it can help us approach those who are hurting with greater empathy.
Grief affects everyone differently, but understanding its stages can provide comfort and guidance. The five common stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - may not be a strict sequence for everyone, but they serve as a guide to healing.
In the initial stage of denial, we often find ourselves reaching out to loved ones, only to be reminded that they're no longer with us. This is our brain's way of coping with the emotional impact of loss. As we move through the stages, it's essential to acknowledge and validate each person's unique experience.
Anger is a common reaction, directed inward or toward others. Bargaining attempts to regain control or rewrite the outcome. Depression can follow, affecting sleep, energy, and daily life. Acceptance is the final stage, where we learn to live with our loss and keep our loved one's memory alive.
For those supporting someone in grief, it's crucial to understand that this process can be dynamic and overwhelming at times. Dr. Ryan Connolly notes that "grief can be highly dynamic" and that even seemingly happy events like holidays or birthdays can become somber occasions. The key is empathy, presence, patience, and stability.
Helping someone heal after loss requires more than words; it's about being there for them, listening without judgment, acknowledging their grief when they're ready, letting them grieve in their own way, being patient with their unique emotional landscape, and checking in consistently. Acts of self-care like meditation or journaling can also soothe the nervous system.
Additionally, talking to a mental health professional is a powerful step toward healing, validating feelings, and processing loss for rebuilding a sense of meaning. Healing doesn't mean forgetting; it means learning to live with their memory in a way that supports growth.
Resources are available both locally and nationally to support those navigating personal loss or supporting someone who's hurting. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), Veterans Crisis Line (988, then press 1 or text 838-255), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (800-662-4357), and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741-741) are just a few options.
For IBX members, Behavioral Health Care Navigation teams can provide personalized support, scheduling appointments with in-network providers, and access to digital emotional wellness exercises.
... I mean, it's this huge, empty feeling that just won't go away 
. And people think they gotta 'get over it' or whatever, but grief is like, a journey man, not a destination 
. Everyone's gonna process it differently, and that's what makes it so hard to navigate 
.
. And then there's the stages of grief... denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance... it sounds like a checklist, but trust me, it's not that easy 
.
. And if you need someone to talk to, there's always resources available 
.
its gonna take time for ppl 2 heal from loss, dont rush them thru stages of grief 
cant judge how ppl cop with emotions, some need space 2 breathe, others need help talkin out loud 
gotta be patient n understanding, even wen it feels like ur not makin progress 
it affects people differently, but acknowledging its stages can really help us understand each other better 
Like, denial might sound like an easy way out, but trust me, it's not 
Anger and depression are super tough to navigate too 
We need more empathy in our lives right now 
let's support each other through this tough time 
... it's this huge emptiness that you can't fill up no matter what. And people often think we're all supposed to be "strong" or whatever, but the thing is, grief is a natural part of bein' human, and it's okay not to be okay 
), and remindin' myself of the good times with my loved one 
. It's not about forgetting your loss, it's about finding ways to live with the memory in a way that feels healthy and meaningful 
. Like, have you ever met someone who's clearly not going through their emotions in a linear fashion? I know I haven't 
. And what about those people who are all like "I'm fine, don't worry about me" while secretly losing it internally? It's hard enough trying to navigate your own feelings without having to fit into some pre-made framework 
.
It's not always that simple. We need to be more understanding and less judgmental when it comes to people's emotional journeys 
.
? It feels like we're more focused on "comforting" each other than actually supporting each other's individual healing processes 
. Grief is a natural part of being human 
, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed 
- you just want to restart and try again 
.
. It's like our body is sending us a message - slow down, take care of yourself! 
. Listen without judgment, and let them grieve on their own terms 
. It's not about fixing the problem, but about being present 
.
. And yeah, healing doesn't mean forgetting - it means learning to live with your memories in a new way 
. Sending love and support to all those who are hurting 
, and acknowledging its complexity can be really helpful. The five stages of grief aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, but they do offer a framework for understanding the process. It's interesting how our brains use denial as a coping mechanism to deal with the emotional weight of loss - it's like our brain is trying to find ways to make sense of the chaos 
. It's not about erasing the pain, but about learning to navigate it in a way that supports growth and resilience 
.
Denial, anger, bargaining... it's all just a bunch of buzzwords to keep us in line 
. And what about those who can't fit into these stages? They're just gonna be left behind 
That's just a nice way of saying "don't do anything, let them suffer". It's all about avoiding any real change or confrontation 
. I mean, what's really going on here? Is it just a bunch of folks trying to keep us in the dark while they reap the benefits? 