When someone or something important is lost, grief is a common yet intensely personal experience. Grief is frequently linked to the loss of a loved one, but it can also result from other losses like a relationship ending, losing one's work, or even relocating to a different place.
Not everyone experiences grief in the same way. While some people prefer to process their emotions in silence and isolation, others choose to express their emotions openly. One study found that when one is unable to cope with the grieving process, excessive levels of sadness, even months after the loss of a loved one, can have a severe impact on social interactions, employment, and family life, ultimately resulting in a mental health issue (Wallace et al., 2020).
In India, where cultural norms and societal expectations often influence how people grieve, the importance of emotional well-being is becoming more widely acknowledged. Healing requires an understanding of grief and the ability to deal with loss. The five phases of grief will be thoroughly examined in this blog, along with helpful coping mechanisms and information on how online therapy services like Rocket Health India may help people get through this difficult time.
What is Grief?
The emotional response that we have after suffering a major loss is called grief. Depending on the specifics of the loss, it might include a wide range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, remorse, denial, and even relief. Grief can be overpowering and can interfere with a person's daily routine, relationships, and sense of purpose, even though it is a normal part of life.
There is no "right" technique or set period of time for healing because grieving is not a linear process. Rituals like prayer or cultural mourning customs may provide comfort to some people, while others may require expert assistance to manage their feelings. Knowing the nature of grief enables us to see that it affects behaviours, mental health, and general well-being in addition to being emotional, physical, and psychological.
The 5 Stages of Grief
The five stages of grieving have their roots in Kübler-Ross's On Death and Dying (1969). She developed the idea of the five stages of grief to characterise the emotional processes that people frequently go through following a loss, knowing them can provide comfort and understanding when things get tough. However it is important to also know that the stages “are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. Not everyone goes through them all or in the recommended sequence." according to Kübler-Ross, who seems to support the fluidity of grief in her later work with David Kessler (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005, p. 7). She acknowledged that grieving is a very individual and non-linear experience and underlined its fluidity. Grief can involve shifting between stages, skipping some completely, or returning to specific emotions on a regular basis. This perspective emphasises that grief is a very personal experience that is unique to each person and is not a structured process.
Denial
People may find it difficult to accept the truth of their loss in the early stages. As a protective technique, denial allows the person to absorb the shock. They could not believe what has happened or feel numb. For example, a person who has lost a loved one may nevertheless act as though they are still there.
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Anger
Anger and frustration may surface as the reality of the loss sinks in. One may feel angry at life or a higher force, at other people, or even with oneself. People may wonder why they suffered the loss, asking themselves, "Why me?" or "This isn't fair."
Bargaining
People frequently engage in wishful thinking or mental bargaining during this phase in an attempt to undo or mitigate the loss. For instance, someone can say, "If only I had done things differently," or pray for a loved one to return. The struggle to reclaim control and make sense of the loss is reflected in bargaining.
Depression
When the full impact of the loss hits, depression sets in. People may experience overwhelming melancholy, loneliness, or despair. Withdrawing from others, losing interest in hobbies, and having trouble sleeping or eating are all frequent at this stage. Even though it hurts, this stage is frequently required for emotional healing.
Acceptance
Accepting the loss signifies the end of the stage. Acceptance indicates that a person has learned to cope with their sadness rather than that they are "over" it. Even if they still harbour some sadness, they might start to rediscover the purpose of life. Peace and the capacity to move on are brought about by acceptance.
How to Cope with Loss
Although dealing with loss is a very personal experience, there are things people may do to navigate the grieving process more effectively Here are some useful strategies for coping with grief:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings, including guilt, anger, and despair. The healing process may be slowed down by suppressing feelings. Processing your emotions can be aided by journaling or discussing them with others.
2. Reach Out for Support
Getting in touch with loved ones, friends, or a support group can help ease the loneliness that comes with grieving. It's normal to vent your feelings when you're mourning since doing so helps you cope with the loss. While many Indians find solace in their close-knit families, seeking the advice of mental health specialists can also provide insightful information.
3. Engage in Self-Care
Maintaining your physical health can help you feel better emotionally. Simple routines like eating healthily, exercising, and getting adequate sleep can have a big impact. Grief management techniques that are popular in India include yoga and meditation.
4. Honor the Loss
Establish customs to pay tribute to the things you lost. This can entail planning a memorial ceremony, lighting a candle, or planting a tree. Rituals such as shraddha rites or commemorating departed loved ones during festivals can serve as significant coping mechanisms in India.
5. Accept that Grief Takes Time
It takes time to recover from grief. Recognize that setbacks are common and practice self-compassion. Grief comes in waves. Some days will be easier than others, and that is okay.
6. Seek Professional Help
Seek assistance from a therapist if grieving becomes too intense or prolonged. Professional assistance can provide emotional healing tools and coping mechanisms.
How Online Therapy Can Help with Grief
Many people find it difficult to attend in-person therapy sessions in today's hectic society, particularly when they are grieving. A flexible, practical, and confidential method of getting mental health treatment is through online therapy. It enables people to process their feelings in the comfort of their own homes, which is especially beneficial when they are feeling vulnerable, making it more accessible.
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Online therapy fills the gap for people looking for professional assistance in India, where mental health services are still developing. Platforms for therapy provide mindfulness exercises, grief counselling, and trauma-focused counselling to help people on their path to recovery.
How Rocket Health India Can Help
Rocket Health India offers a wide range of mental health services, with an emphasis on online therapy for bereavement counselling. With skilled therapists who are trained to deal with loss and grief, the platform provides individualised support to assist people in efficiently managing their emotions. Whether they are coping with emotional difficulties or personal bereavement, its mental health specialists guarantee that users receive empathetic care.
Rocket Health places a strong emphasis on accessibility by providing simple online sessions that can be arranged from any location in India, doing away with the need for travel. The platform makes mental health care more accessible by guaranteeing affordability through competitive pricing. Additionally, Rocket Health's culturally sensitive approach balances therapy with traditional Indian values, fostering recovery while respecting individual beliefs.
Conclusion
Every part of life is impacted by the intense emotional experience of grief. While coping skills aid in the healing process, an understanding of the five stages of grieving can provide clarity during difficult moments. Even though grief takes time, it is possible to rediscover purpose and peace.
Online therapy can offer further emotional support and coping mechanisms in India, where mourning is frequently entwined with traditional customs. To assist people in navigating their grieving process, Rocket Health India provides professional, easily accessible, and reasonably priced mental health treatments.
Keep in mind that there is support available if you or someone you know is experiencing grief. Get in touch with Rocket Health India to start your healing process right now.
References
Kübler-Ross E. (1969). On Death and Dying. New York, NY: Macmillan.
Kübler-Ross E., Kessler D. (2005). On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief through the Five Stages of Loss. New York, NY: Scribner.
Wallace, C. L., Wladkowski, S. P., Gibson, A., & White, P. (2020). Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for palliative care providers. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(1), e70–e76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.012
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