In life, we make human connections, and the ones closest to us we call friends. We can share good and bad times with these people because they are there to support and lean on us. Unfortunately, this world can be brutal, especially when we lose a friend and our lives are forever changed, leaving us lonely and troubled.
We need to find a way to move forward without forgetting the impact our loved ones had on us, but this challenge is difficult to navigate. Fortunately, there is a path you can take to recover and feel whole again. This is how to deal with the grief of losing a friend.
Take Care of Your Well-Being
People have different ways of coping with grief. The effects can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. While grieving, you may not do your routine and activities like:
- Eating
- Sleeping
- Showering
- Exercising
This is a vicious cycle as the worse you feel, the less you take care of yourself, and this leads to poor health and exhaustion. Try to work on yourself as you go through this tough time by getting at least 8 hours of sleep, starting around 10 pm.
Make an effort to eat healthy meals and stay away from alcohol. Regular showering and exercising are also great, as they help you stay engaged.
Write Down your Feelings
Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a good way to get out. This practical outlet allows you to vent and communicate what is happening inside. If you haven’t already done this, start a journal and add to it whoever you need to get your thoughts out. The greatest part about journaling is you don’t have to hold anything back. This is your private writing; you can express yourself however you want.
There may be things you wish you could have said to your friend, so write them a letter and share how you feel. You could even text them during the day and make a regular commitment to communicate with them, even though you won’t get a reply.
Learn Coping Skills
There are several things you can do to cope with your loss and the feelings that are with you. These help to distract you and also distance your pain from the reality of your departed friend. Most of them can be practiced during your day and will be very beneficial to coping with grief.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice of being in silence with your mind and body, where you can find peace. It is a space of acceptance where you allow thoughts to come in and go out as you try to stay in the present moment and empty your mind.
Breathing Exercises
Several breathing exercises can help you cope and are also a way to bring fresh oxygen into your body. Deep breathing slows your heart rate and releases hormones to calm and relax you. It can focus you on your breath with strong, holding, and slow exhaling as you stay mindful of your surroundings.
Music
Music can transport you through sound and bring joy at the same time. Listen to your favourite songs and ones your friends enjoyed, and remember the good times you shared. This will produce new, positive connections of thought and sound that you will remember whenever you hear the same music again.
Walking
Walking is a low-impact exercise that changes scenery while increasing the blood pumping through your body. You are alone in your thoughts, and this can be a time of positive reflection on your past relationship with your loved one.
Honour Them in a Productive Way
A good way to overcome grief is to do something in their honour. This can be through donating to a cause they held dear, making a scrapbook of their activities together, volunteering for an organization they supported, or even taking up a hobby or sport they loved.
This is perfect for showing your love for them and what they want to do, and it allows you to continue what they may have started. Ultimately, it shows your lasting love for them.
This is how to deal with the grief of losing a friend. While their life has ended, yours needs to keep going, and as the pain fades, you will be left with loving memories that will live in your heart forever. Practice these methods so your friend can live on through your actions, and do something special to remember them as often as you can.
