It is always difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one and to adjust to what has happened, but there are things you can do to help yourself cope.
Grief can be painful and exhausting but most people find that in time things become easier. Understanding the grief process and the common stages of the grief cycle can be really helpful - so it can be a good idea to familiarise yourself with these and keep them in mind during the periods when hard feelings come up.
Tell people what you find helpful and let them know when you are finding things difficult. It's okay to ask others to be with you if you need them. If you're not already receiving support or don't feel the support you have is helpful, take a look at our useful contacts page for a list of organisations who might be able to help.
Talking with a trained professional can help you become more aware of and address your thoughts and feelings following a loss. It can be useful to have a continuous focused source of support that goes beyond the level of support that friends or family may be able to provide.
Following a loss it is natural to feel like your whole life has been disrupted. This may mean that you experience disrupted sleep (sleeping too much or too little), eating unhealthily, or for some people using substances like alcohol or drugs in an attempt to numb difficult feelings - all of which are likely to make your mental health poorer. With this in mind, there are things it can be helpful to try. See our resource on bereavement for more detailed information.
“Things that helped me through the bereavement were opening up about the way I was feeling, making real friendships, exercise, healthy eating, and helping others.”