There are a variety of experiences or events that can lead to grief and feelings of loss. These experiences can be very challenging to overcome and the stress of navigating through life during these times can be exhausting. Feelings of grief or loss may arrive after the death of a loved one or the loss of a family pet. You might also experience these emotions after a close friend has moved away or an argument has led to a falling out between friends. All people will experience grief and loss at some point in their lives and understanding how to cope with these challenging emotions is essential. Grief and the pain associated with loss can easily weigh you down and prevent you from accomplishing your goals and living a wholesome life. It is easy to let these emotions sweep you away if you lack mental clarity and the proper coping tools.
Everyone’s grief response is unique and therefore, their coping mechanisms are also unique. This article will walk you through the top 15 tips for staying positive while navigating grief and loss. Some of the tips listed in this article might not suit your particular needs but select one of the strategies you agree with the most in order to manage your grief in a healthy manner. If you are struggling with grief and loss or known someone that may be struggling with these emotions, make sure to take the time to learn how to properly handle these emotions.
The Types Of Situations That Can Be Challenging To A Person In Their Daily Life
As mentioned above briefly, there are a variety of situations that can be challenging to a person in their daily life. These difficulties can lead to feelings of loss or grief and identifying these situations can help you to manage your emotions and feelings in a healthy manner. Some scenarios can make you feel frustrated, or helpless and the proper coping mechanisms can allow you to navigate these situations without losing your positive mentality and mindset. This section will explain a few scenarios that can lead to feelings of loss or grief.
DEATH OF A LOVED ONE
Experiencing the death of a close friend or family member can be extremely devastating. The loss of such an integral part of your life can leave you reeling from the unexpectedness of the situation. It is common to feel as though the world is a dark and gloomy place after the death of a loved one. This loss can prevent you from experiencing life and the pain associated with these losses can be hard to heal.
It is easy to lose your positivity after the loss of a loved one, however, a lack of positivity can impact your quality of life over time. While it is healthy to grieve and fully experience loss, it is also important to maintain a positive perspective after the loss of a loved one. The task of remaining positive can seem quite challenging after such a loss, however, this article will touch on the best ways to remain positive after the loss or death of a loved one.
LOSS OF A JOB
Grief and loss are often associated with the death of a loved one, however, there are a variety of circumstances that can lead to feelings of grief or loss. For example, the loss of a job can create immense amounts of stress that can lead to feelings of grief and loss. Jobs offer security and improve your quality of life and the loss of such a critical component of life can be extremely challenging.
Job security often impacts your well-being in addition to the well-being of your family. The loss of this security can impact your ability to provide for yourself and those around you. Therefore, the loss of a job can create serious feelings of grief and loss. To manage these emotions, it is important to maintain a positive outlook for the future. While some might not view job loss as a big deal, this ordeal can be quite devastating for some.
Therefore, it is important to treat yourself kindly and utilize proper coping mechanisms to manage the loss of a job. Make sure to communicate clearly with your loved ones and seek professional help if needed to work through your emotions. If you need help managing household tasks, make sure you seek that additional assistance so that you do not suffer in silence.
FINANCIAL INSTABILITY
Similarly to the stress and grief caused by the loss of a job, financial instability can also impact your mental and emotional state in a significant way. Loss of income can lead to feelings of guilt and grief that can greatly impact your ability to function throughout your daily life.
There are a variety of reasons that may cause financial instability such as the loss of a job or a rise in unexpected financial costs due to unforeseen bills. For example, an unplanned hospital trip or car emergency can lead to financial instability which can impact all aspects of your life. If you are experiencing financial instability, make sure to communicate with those in your life to reach out for help and assistance.
It is always important to remember that you are not alone when you are experiencing hardships and leaning on others for support is essential when going through a difficult situation and experiencing challenges such as financial instability. Keep reading on to learn more healthy coping tips to manage feelings of grief and loss positively.
HEALTH ISSUES
Health issues can cause stress for a plethora of reasons and these struggles can create feelings of loss, grief, and helplessness. These health issues can impact you personally or maybe affect partners, children, or other close family members.
Health issues cause stress not only because the well-being of a person is at risk, but also because of the financial implications of such complications. Loss of health can be extremely challenging to manage when you have a variety of other responsibilities, and the entire ordeal can be quite exhausting to cope with.
Due to the tiring nature of these issues, utilizing proper coping mechanisms to navigate through these taxing times is key. Making sure to prioritize your mental and physical health when dealing with health issues and concerns is key. Seeking professional guidance during these times can also help you to navigate the grief and loss process with more ease.
LOSS OF A RELATIONSHIP
Grief and loss are not only associated with the loss or death of a loved one. These emotions can be felt due to a variety of reasons such as those listed above. The loss of an important relationship or the stress of a divorce can also lead to feelings of grief and loss.
Both platonic and romantic relationships are extremely important to maintaining a positive mental state to navigate through your life. The loss of any of these important relationships due to differences of opinion or an argument can take a serious toll on your mental and emotional health.
This jarring loss can lead you to experience grief and sadness which may impact your physical and mental well-being. While these losses cannot always be prevented or controlled by you, you need to practice proper self-care and coping mechanisms to manage the emotions associated with these losses. Proper coping mechanisms can allow you to positively maneuver through your life with optimism
How Can Staying Positive During Grief And Loss Benefit You?
It can seem nearly impossible to stay positive during times of grief and loss, however, being positive in your outlook on life throughout these difficult times can truly improve your quality of life. A positive outlook during the challenges of loss can allow you to maintain a healthier physical and emotional lifestyle that can also allow you to better support yourself and those within your life. A positive outlook can also teach you how to be resilient.
IT CAN HELP YOU APPRECIATE THE POSITIVE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE
Being optimistic and maintaining a positive mentality during times of grief and loss can help you to appreciate all of the positive thoughts and things in your life. These are the things that you can look forward to and focus on to navigate through your feelings of sadness and loss. These things will be unique to your own experiences and may differ in size and significance.
However, even the smallest things can shed a positive light on your mind when you are working through feelings of loss and grief. For example, you can be thankful for the loved ones that offer support and love to you during these challenging times. You can also be thankful for your job or the house you live in.
If you are struggling to find positive things to focus on, you can create small gratitude lists every day that can be filled with small things that bring you joy. For example, you can be grateful for the sun shining or your ability to rise each morning to greet the new day. Taking the time to appreciate the positive things in your life can offer you a new perspective. This new perspective can help you to navigate through the loss and grief you may be experiencing at the time.
IT CAN HELP YOU TO GROW AND LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND COPE WITH CHALLENGES IN YOUR LIFE
Maintaining a positive mindset while you are working through grief and loss can also help you to learn more about yourself and your instinctual coping mechanisms. Every person deals with grief and loss differently. Those unique responses can range in effectiveness and positivity. Learning more about your coping skills can help you to grow as a person.
You may realize that your coping skills are not the healthiest and this experience can help you to adopt better coping skills that can positively impact your mental and emotional health. Some common unhealthy coping skills such as binge eating, abuse of substances, or externalized anger can all negatively impact your mental health as well as the well-being of those around you.
More positive coping skills such as physical exercise, journaling, and seeking professional help can all improve your mental health and ability to deal with adversity in the future. Therefore, practicing a positive attitude when dealing with feelings of loss and grief can help to better prepare your coping skills and emotional health for future challenges.
IT HELPS YOU ADAPT TO STRESS, GRIEF OR OTHER EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES
Managing feelings of loss and grief with a positive mindset can also help you to adapt to stress, grief, and other emotional difficulties that you will experience in the future. Feelings of stress and grief will accompany you throughout life as you experience more things, and these feelings are often inevitable.
However, your response to these emotions can change with time to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. Your first time experiencing these emotions can be extremely overwhelming and challenging. However, after the first experience of loss or grief, you can learn better coping skills to handle these feelings more positively.
Maintaining a positive mindset when dealing with grief and loss can help you to adapt to stress and other emotional difficulties later in life. These emotional coping skills will continue to be helpful as you navigate through other emotional challenges in your life.
How Can You Develop Better Coping Strategies For Grief?
When you are dealing with grief and loss, it is easy to feel as though you are stuck with no feasible way out of the situation. During these moments of overwhelming stress, you can turn to negative coping mechanisms to manage your emotions and work through the ordeal. However, these negative coping mechanisms can take serious tolls on your health and your relationships with others. It may seem impossible at first, but there are a plethora of better-coping strategies that you can utilize when dealing with grief and loss. These healthier coping strategies can allow you to gain control over your life once more.
These strategies can also improve your health and the quality of the relationships in your life. While coping strategies are different for every single person, the best coping strategies make sure to acknowledge your feelings. Admitting and accepting your pain can help you to heal through emotions of grief and loss. The best coping strategies acknowledge these emotions, however, they do not allow you to wallow In these feelings. Acknowledging the pain that accompanies grief is different than letting that pain consume you. Healthy coping accepts the pain and looks for ways to heal that damage whilst being gentle with yourself during the process.
TAKE NOTICE OF HOW YOU RESPOND IN TOUGH TIMES OR SITUATIONS
One of the best ways to work on healthy coping skills is to take notice of how you respond in tough times or during challenging situations. Every person responds differently to adversity on their painful journey of grief. Once you can assess your reactions and identify what parts are unsuccessful, you are better able to cope with these emotions more healthily. For example, assessing your reactions may show you that you tend towards feelings of anger and aggression when dealing with loss or grief. Learning that your initial reactions may be negative can help you to correct those reactions in the future. You may learn to utilize physical exercise or deep breathing to manage those volatile emotions.
IT CAN HELP TO LET THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU KNOW YOUR NEW COPING STRATEGIES
Once you begin learning new coping strategies that use your reactions and emotions in healthier ways, it is important to communicate with those close to you. Your closest family and friends can benefit from knowing your new coping strategies. When you are experiencing loss or grief, those close friends and family can help you to utilize your healthy coping strategies to manage your emotions in the best ways possible. If you do not communicate openly with those closest to you, it is more likely that you will have to navigate these emotions alone.
There is no shame in asking for help and support from those around you. Therefore, opening up about your coping skills can allow others to assist you in times of need or extreme stress. When you are distressed or not thinking clearly, these people can help you to regain a feeling of safety and control because they are aware of your coping strategies. For example, your friends may know that physical exercise can help you to calm your mind and body. This knowledge can help them to encourage you to go for a walk to relax your mindset during periods of loss and grief. These individuals can also help support your new plan.
DON'T CONCERN YOURSELF WITH HOW OTHERS COPE WITH CHALLENGES
In our world, it is easy to compare yourself to other people. This mentality is still applicable when it comes to coping with challenging emotions such as loss and grief. When you are experiencing these feelings, it is easy to compare your situation to others around you. This mentality can lead you to feel like a failure or inadequate. The strategies that others use to cope with difficult emotions might not work for you and that is perfectly fine.
Every person is unique and their coping strategies for grief and loss will also be different. Just because a coping strategy works for someone else does not necessarily mean that it will work for you. It is important to identify coping strategies that work for you and focus on those rather than trying to adopt the strategies of another person. If you are struggling to find coping strategies that work for you, it is ok to ask others for help. However, do not feel discouraged if their suggestions do not work for you. Not every coping strategy will be effective for every single person. Coping with stress and loss is very personal and finding the strategy that works for you is more important than comparing your experience to those around you.
15 Tips For Staying Positive While Navigating Grief & Loss
This section of the article will explain the 15 best tips for staying positive while navigating grief and loss. The emotions of grief and loss can make it extremely challenging to view the world in a positive light. These feelings can make life extremely challenging, and it is easy to feel exhausted or overwhelmed after such emotionally challenging times. Keep reading to learn more about the top tips to stay positive while navigating grief and loss.
1. CREATE A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Staying positive during loss and grief can be difficult. When experiencing these emotions, it is easy to lose sight of all of the positive things in your life. It may even seem as though everything good in your life has disappeared. It is easy to get sucked into these dark emotions and can fall into a state of depression and anger.
To handle these emotions healthily, consider keeping a gratitude journal. Physically writing down the things that you are grateful for can help to clear your mind. This daily practice of recording three simple things you are grateful for can allow you to navigate through your feelings of grief and loss with a more positive mindset. These lists do not need to be extravagant as this activity is meant to remind you of the simple joys in life.
For example, you can be grateful for sunshine or the food in your pantry. Eventually, the repetition of these small lists can help you to realize that there are many good things in the world that can help you to heal from those feelings of loss and grief. While that pain may remain for a long time, other things can also bring you joy and happiness. These gratitude lists can help you to continue to live during times of difficulty and loss.
2. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LOVED ONES THAT ARE POSITIVE & SUPPORTIVE OF YOU
When you are experiencing loss and grief, it is also important to surround yourself with loved ones. However, make sure that these loved ones are positive influences on you. There are some family members and friends that can act unsupportive during times of grief and loss, and it is best to avoid those individuals when dealing with tough times.
Rather, focus on surrounding yourself with those that love and positively support you. Their actions can help to teach you how to positively view the world even after experiencing loss and grief. This positive influence can also help you to heal after the pain of loss and grief. These positive individuals often are the best teachers and can help you to learn proper coping mechanisms that promote self-growth and health.
3. GIFT YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE THUMBPRINT JEWELRY
Jewelry Keepsakes also crafts personalized thumbprint jewelry for healing that can help honor the memory of those that have passed. These remembrance gifts for healing take the fingerprint of a lost loved one and imprint it upon specified jewelry pieces such as necklaces or bracelets.
This thoughtful gift can help those grieving navigate the loss while also helping the gift giver work towards their self-healing. These thoughtful and caring actions can help you to work through your grief by reminding you of the importance of positivity and love. If you have any questions regarding the selection process of thumbprint jewelry gifts, thumbprint rings, ash rings, or cremation rings, these purchasing guides can make this process simpler.
4. ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL AND MAKE A LIST OF WHAT YOU CAN
Grief and loss can teach us about the things we can’t control in life. It is often hard to accept that we cannot control every single aspect of our lives and letting go of these situations can be even more challenging. Loss is often one of those aspects of life that is uncontrollable. That loss of control can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.
When you are feeling a loss of control, make a list of the things you can control. This writing exercise can allow you to regain some stability that you may have lost previously. Chat with those around you to feel less alone during these times of struggle. You may learn that they too can feel a loss of control when dealing with difficult situations and emotions of loss and grief. Knowing that you are not alone in these situations can also help you to gain control back over your life and emotions.
5. TAKE A WALK OUTSIDE WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE
Spending time with those you love can help you to feel less alone when dealing with emotions like loss and grief. Consider asking a loved one to take a walk with you and discuss the emotions that you are feeling. Taking time to breathe some fresh air and chat about your feelings with someone you love can help you to feel less alone during this challenging time.
The combination of gentle movement and emotional support can allow you to process the situation without feeling alone or overwhelmed. Your companion may also offer some helpful advice or insight and this conversation can teach you new coping skills that can help with future challenges.
6. PURCHASE OR GIFT SOMEONE CREMATION JEWELRY
Cremation keepsakes are a wonderful way to keep the memory of a lost loved one close to those that were left behind. Items such as rings made with ashes and cremation keychains can be carried with the families and friends of loved ones that have passed. Gifting a grieving individual one of these pieces of cremation jewelry for healing can help them navigate through their journey of recovery and grief.
These jewelry pieces can also help you process your healing and growth by offering valuable perspective and encouragement to utilize healthy coping mechanisms. The Jewelry Keepsake website also offers instructions on how to properly care for cremation jewelry pieces.
7. INCREASE YOUR VITAMIN D EXPOSURE
Increasing your exposure to vitamin D has also been shown to help improve your positivity and mood. Soaking in some additional sunlight can help you to heal after difficult situations of loss and grief. It is easy to lock yourself away after loss and grief but taking the time to sit outside in direct sunlight can vastly improve your mood and outlook on life.
If you are struggling to feel positive after loss and grief, consider sitting in the sunlight for a little while. You may be surprised at how these small actions can change your perspective on your current challenges.
8. FOCUS ON ADDING POSITIVITY TO SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE
When you are struggling with feelings of grief and loss, it can be easy to get swept away by your troubles. The resulting exhaustion and worry can be debilitating. To minimize this sort of situation, you can try to focus on adding positivity to someone else’s life. Taking the time to care for those around you and work towards making their life a little better can help to take your mind off of the struggles in your own life.
Oftentimes, caring for other people can help you to learn better-coping mechanisms that can help you to heal yourself during times of trouble. However, it is always important to remember to listen to your own body and mind. It is not healthy to care for others at the expense of your well-being, so make sure that you are also caring for yourself properly when you are working to positively impact those around you.
Helping someone else when they are struggling is an act of selflessness that can give you purpose, hope, and strength. These emotions can also help you to heal during times of grief and loss.
9. REMEMBER THAT CHALLENGING TIMES DON'T LAST FOREVER
Situations of loss and grief can drain you of your positivity and hope for the future. These tiring situations can be very draining and distressing. It is easy to feel as though these negative scenarios will last forever. However, it is important to remember that challenging times do not last forever.
Keep in mind that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and more positive experiences will come back into your life. Make sure to talk with others when you are feeling very low after experiencing loss and grief. Asking for support and strength can help you to understand that these challenging times will end eventually.
10. PURCHASE OR GIFT A MEMORIAL PHOTO ENGRAVED NECKLACE
If you are looking to gift yourself or a grieving friend something to help them navigate the loss process, consider giving them a remembrance gift that can help them honor the loved one that they lost. Jewelry Keepsakes crafts beautiful and durable photo-engraved jewelry pieces that can serve as wonderful gifts to remember loved ones that have been lost.
This heartfelt and thoughtful gift can help promote healing while encouraging the gift giver to address their struggles and healing. Jewelry Keepsake’s website has a variety of helpful articles that can assist you in selecting the perfect piece of affordable photo-engraved jewelry, picture jewelry, or jewelry made from ashes to give a grieving individual.
11. ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE BAD DAYS
Another important part of healing after grief and loss is to accept that there are going to be bad days. No one is perfect and the process of self-healing is challenging. There are going to be days when you fail to keep a positive mindset and might not use the healthiest coping mechanisms.
Acknowledging that it is ok to make mistakes is an important part of self-healing and growth. It is especially important to be kind to yourself during the process of healing and growth after experiencing loss and grief. Allow yourself to fully experience all of the emotions that come with grief and loss and acknowledge the pain that may accompany these times.
Working through these emotions and letting them have their own time and space can help you to navigate through these emotions and heal yourself from that old pain. When you have bad days, make sure to seek help from your support system. Do not feel as though you have to suffer through this pain alone.
12. TAKE A HIKE OR VISIT A NATURE PARK
Exercising was one of the healthier coping mechanisms that were mentioned earlier in this article. Taking the time to go for a hike or visit a nature park can help you to clear your mind when coping with tough times of loss and grief. Many studies have shown that gentle body movement and fresh air can help improve your mental state when you are dealing with emotions such as grief and loss.
The clarity that can result from these activities can help you to navigate through the healing process more healthily. These nature excursions can also help to boost your attitude by increasing your positivity. This time spent in nature can also offer you a new perspective on your life and situation.
13. TAKE A MINI VACATION
Consider taking a mini vacation if you are struggling with feelings of grief and loss. Visiting a new location can help you to change your perspective. Taking a trip can also help remove you from the negative emotions you feel at home and the traveling experience can help improve your positivity. Taking a step back from your everyday life can allow you to learn better-coping mechanisms.
14. LEARN A DAILY MEDITATION PRACTICE
If you are dealing with grief and loss, another healthy coping mechanism is to learn a daily meditation practice. Practicing mindfulness can also help you to gain new positive perspectives on your life. These practices can help to quiet your mind while also promoting a healing mindset that can help you navigate through loss and grief.
15. VOLUNTEER AT LOCAL CHARITIES OR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Consider volunteering at local charities or non-profit organizations as well when you are dealing with grief and loss. Similarly to helping those around you, volunteer work can help you to gain perspective during times of loss and grief. Volunteering can allow you to take your mind off of your struggles. This activity can also serve as a healthy coping mechanism that can help you work through difficult times in the future.
Staying Positive Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to stay positive during difficult times?
It is important to stay positive when going through tough times because a positive mindset can allow you to heal. The healing process can be long and arduous and a positive mentality and outlook on life can make this process easier.
How do I stay positive when I am feeling down?
There are a variety of ways to stay positive when you are feeling down. Try talking with your loved ones or getting outside when you are feeling depressed.
What are some things that I can do to handle stress better?
Some things you can do to handle stress better are to speak with those around you about your struggles. Asking for assistance is a sign of strength rather than weakness and discussions with those around you can help you to learn better-coping mechanisms.
How do you cope with a death in the family?
Death within the family can be extremely challenging to cope with. Make sure to seek professional help when needed and try to lean on your loved ones when navigating the loss of a family member.
How can I teach myself to cope better with grief and loss?
To learn how to cope better with grief and loss, you should reach out to professionals for help. There is a variety of coping mechanisms that can help you navigate loss and grief such as journaling and exercise. Chatting with a trained professional can help you to create the proper coping strategies for your personal needs.
Moving Forward With A Positive Heart
Grief and loss can be debilitating emotions that cause stress and anxiety throughout your life. Because these are inevitable emotions that we all will feel at some point in our lives, learning healthy coping mechanisms is essential. This article touched on 15 ways to deal with grief and loss in a positive way. Make sure to be kind to yourself when you are navigating through these challenging situations and always ask for help when you need it.
February 28, 2023 by Jeri K. Augustus