There is nothing harder in
life than having to deal with the sudden loss of a loved one. It can lead to
emotional turmoil and create challenging living circumstances in both the short
and long-term. It is impossible to feel okay straight away, and it will take a long time to heal, but there
are a few steps that you can take during this challenging time to put yourself
in a position to heal in a healthy manner and start building towards a brighter
future. Here are a few ways that an individual can cope when they suffer a
sudden loss of a loved one.
Know What to Expect
First, it is important that
you are aware that you are likely to feel a wide array of emotions after a
sudden loss. Due to the fact that the
loss is unexpected, it is likely that you will feel shock, disbelief, anger, and
sadness. Often an individual will have stronger feelings of shock and anger as
they have not had time to prepare so it can feel like the rug has been pulled from under them. There may also be
physical symptoms like lack of sleep and loss of appetite.
Speak to Someone
Nobody should have to go
through this process alone and speaking to someone will help you to come to
terms with what has happened. It is important to speak to someone else who is
going through the loss and potentially a healthcare professional if you are
struggling to cope. There are also support groups which can be of a huge help particularly for those
that do not have friends and family to speak to.
Support Children
If there are children to
consider, it can be a huge challenge to explain the loss to them. How this
should be done will depend on their age,
but there are methods for explaining death in an age-appropriate manner for all ages. You also
need to show that it is important to communicate and show your emotions during
this challenging time.
Making A Claim
If it was a fatal accident, then you may be able to make a claim. While no amount of money will
compensate for your loss, it can help with resulting financial hardships and
help you to build a brighter future. It can also help to answer questions you
may have about what happened and why
which can help with closure.
Practicalities
It is hard to consider the
practicalities and day to day chores when you are coping with an unexpected
loss. Having people who can support you and help with daily chores and taking
steps for the funeral can be a huge help. Although it may all feel too much at
times, it can be helpful to stay active and move forwards.
Dealing with
the unexpected loss of a loved one is a
traumatic experience and there is no cure other than time. The above are a few
important steps to take which will help in the long run and allow you to come to
terms with what has happened.
