Having supported numerous grieving clients and families through loss, I’ve come to realize that there are some key insights about grief that everyone should understand. In this blog, I’ll share 8 essential things I wish everyone knew about grief. By the end of this post, you’ll have a deeper understanding of grief.
What Is Grief?
Grief is the natural response to loss. It’s unique to each person and can vary based on your life experiences, personality, coping style, spirituality, and support system. Grief affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and impacts how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. While the experience of grief is personal, it is also universal—every human being will experience loss at some point. Grief helps us process loss and eventually find a new normal.
8 Things You Should Know About Grief
#1 Grief is Not a Clinical Diagnosis, Depression, or Illness
Grief is a normal human experience, not a mental illness. While it can share some similarities with depression, grief is a natural reaction to loss. It’s important to understand the difference between grief and depression so that you can seek the right support when needed.
#2 Talking About Grief is for Everyone
Building the ability to cope with loss takes practice. Talking openly about grief can make it feel less overwhelming, less foreign, and more normal. By discussing grief, you become more familiar with it, which can help you navigate your own grief journey or support others who are grieving.
#3 Grief Doesn’t Have a Timeline
There’s no set timeline for grieving. Many people expect that after a certain period of time, they should no longer feel the pain of loss. While the intensity of grief typically dulls with time, it never fully goes away. Grief is a part of being human, and there is no “right” time for it to end.
#4 There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Grief Process
You may have heard of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief. While this model is valuable for understanding the emotional experience of grief, it was never meant to be a strict roadmap. Everyone experiences grief differently, and there’s no one correct way to grieve.
#5 Grief Is Not Just About Sadness
Grief involves many emotions, not just sadness. You might also experience anger, confusion, guilt, or even relief. There’s no “right” or “wrong” feeling during grief—what you feel is valid. Grief is a complex mix of emotions, and each person experiences it in their own way.
#6 Children Grieve Differently Than Adults
Children’s grief often looks different from adults’ grief. It’s important to have open, age-appropriate conversations about loss with children. Parents often expect children to grieve the same way they do, but this is not the case. Children’s understanding of death and their grieving process evolve as they grow. Keep communication open and continue to check in with your child.
#7 Grief Affects You Physically
Grief isn’t just emotional—it has physical effects too. You may experience exhaustion, changes in appetite, body aches, or weight fluctuations. These physical symptoms are common when grieving and should not be ignored. It's essential to care for your body as you cope with loss.
#8 Grief Impacts Your Cognitive Function
Grief can affect your mental clarity as well. Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and trouble processing information are common cognitive impacts of grief. These effects are temporary but can be frustrating, so be gentle with yourself and give yourself time to process.
Conclusion:
By learning about grief and how it affects us physically, emotionally, and cognitively, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the ups and downs that come with loss.
If you are interested in learning about therapy or would like to setup an appointment with Person to Person Psychotherapy, serving New Jersey & New York residents, call 908-224-0007.
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