Blog-Health & Coping

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences, and different kinds of people cope with their loss in different ways. One such coping method is known as grief-eating, which means eating lots of unhealthy food in an attempt to trick your own body.  When you eat foods that are high in sugar and fats, a feel-good chemical called dopamine is released by the brain. This only makes you want to eat more of the same kinds of food.

Grief-eating is not the healthiest coping mechanism especially because it can be so addictive. Moreover, it can have adverse long-term effects such as weight gain, health issues, low self-esteem, and even eating disorders.

Below we outline some steps you can take to overcome grief-eating:

• Understand that it’s okay to grief-eat as long as you have control

Grief-eating is nothing but one of the many coping mechanisms that people adopt after the loss of a loved one. It is only natural that you want to search for momentary comfort in any way possible. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t talk yourself down using negative self-talk. Instead, accept that it’s only temporary.

• Know what your emotional triggers are

You are most probably grief-eating because something triggers it. It could be a thought, a feeling, an event, or even an object that makes you want to eat to comfort yourself. Find out what these triggers are. It will help you in managing your stress.

• Physical hunger vs. emotional hunger

Know the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger, so you know when to consume food or not. Physical hunger builds up gradually in your stomach, while emotional hunger comes on suddenly. You will also most likely crave a specific food that is high in sugar or fat. 

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Losing your spouse is one of the most heart-breaking experiences of life. You have lost someone who you promised to spend the rest of your life with--someone you love dearly. It can be difficult to cope in healthy ways with such a loss.

You may experience feelings of anger, guilt, fear, sadness and shock. These are only natural and you shouldn’t stop yourself from feeling them. In fact, it’s actually healthy to allow yourself to feel all these completely. This is a part of grief and only then will you be able to move on to the next chapter of your life.

Now the question is, how can you move on? How do you cope with your loss and get your life back together? Here are a few ideas to help you out.

• Accept that not everyone will understand your pain

Some people may not be comfortable with the idea of death and hence, may not understand what you are going through. They may act the wrong way or say the wrong words. Try to forgive these people.

• Reach out to caring and understanding friends and family

Your family and friends will understand you, and it’s always a good idea to reach out to them and talk openly about how you feel. They themselves may be grieving too, so you could help each other out simply by understanding how the other feels. It’s never a good idea to isolate yourself.

• Take care of your health

Grief of such magnitude can be detrimental for your physical and mental health. Many people tend to lose their appetite and have trouble sleeping. Make sure you take care of your body and health during this time.

• Don’t make big decisions, if possible

You may think that moving to a new city or quitting your job may be a good idea after your loss. Give it time. Don't make decisions while you are grieving as you may regret it later.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter how many times you may have experienced it before. Dealing with loss can be confusing, infuriating, and difficult. It is important that we make sure we do not cope with loss in a negative manner since we are extremely vulnerable at such times.

So, if you or anyone is grieving, make sure to watch out for these unhealthy coping methods.

• Denial

Denial can come in many forms. The most obvious is unwilling to accept that your loved one has gone. People who are in denial may still talk about the deceased in the present tense, as if they are still alive. Another form is talking about the death as if it happened recently, even though it may have been months or years.

• Engaging in risky behavior

A common unhealthy coping method is to engage in risky behavior such as excessive drinking, consuming drugs, becoming physically violent and aggressive, acting out sexually, etc. These types of behavior, if not treated, can damage the person in the long run.

• Becoming depressed or anxious or both

Being sad about the loss of a loved one is normal, even if it’s been some time since the death. However, there is a huge difference between being sad and being depressed. If the person is continuously moody, anxious, cries excessively and is unable to go about with his or her daily life, it is definitely a sign of depression.

• Significant changes in personality

Someone who is mourning may undergo significant changes in personality if he or she does not cope in a healthy manner. For example, they may overeat or stop eating, become extremely moody, etc. In other words, they often become someone they weren’t before they lost that person.

Any person exhibiting these characteristics may need to seek professional help. Encourage them.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

It is often said that where words are not enough, you can turn to rituals. This is perhaps most true when it comes to the loss of a loved one. Death is something no one is prepared to face and no one can get used to, and coming to terms with it can be extremely difficult. Death is much more than sudden absence, it is about losing a bond--losing a presence. It’s losing a loved one, and it is never easy.

Rituals like funeral services can help us cope with this grief in more ways than we may understand. Below are the different ways funeral services aid us in the mourning process of death, and perhaps, help us learn to let go.

• Funeral services help you accept the reality of loss

One of the most difficult aspects of someone’s death is actually acknowledging it. It may seem quite simple, but anyone who had experienced it will understand just how confusing and difficult it can be. A funeral service provides a physical, tangible time and space of departure, making it easier to say goodbye.

• Funeral services help you celebrate the life lived

Funeral services are an opportunity to remember the person who has died, and celebrate the life he/she has lived. It is a time to bring back fond memories, so you can keep them in your hearts forever in the way they would want to be remembered.

• Funeral services help you to express grief

Another benefit of funeral services is that they allow us to openly express our grief and mourn the loss of our loved ones. Grieving is an important process that can help us to accept and understand the reality of death.

• Funeral services help you to receive support

Funeral services bring family and friends together in one place, allowing you to lean on each other for much needed emotional support during hard times. Hearing comforting words from others, even just their presence, makes the journey easier.

Thanks for reading,

Karen