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Few experiences in life are as traumatic and difficult as losing a loved one. Even when a family member’s or close friend’s passing is expected, the emotional toll can be immense. The grief, anger, and other feelings you experience are only intensified when the passing is sudden and comes about due to another person’s negligent conduct.
Survivors face a difficult path forward from traumatic events like this. Although everyone experiences grief differently, several key steps can facilitate the journey to healing regardless of your personality, your situation, or the circumstances of your loved one’s death. Understanding them can provide comfort and let you know when to seek additional help navigating your grief.
Over 227,000 people die every year in unintentional injury accidents. When this happens, the surviving family members must often hastily wrap up the decedent’s affairs and move on. Grieving can seem like a luxury they can’t afford.
However, even under these difficult circumstances, allowing yourself to grieve is crucial for your emotional well-being. The following steps can help you work through the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead while keeping your mental health intact.
The first step toward healing after the death of a loved one is to give yourself time and permission to grieve at your own pace. Despite having distinct stages, grief doesn’t follow a linear path or set timetable. You may experience the various stages several times on your journey, which may take longer than someone else’s. All of this is perfectly normal.
Don’t try to “power through” your grief or let anyone (including yourself) tell you that you should just “get over it.” Trying to hurry the grieving process along or make it conform to how you think it should look can only prolong the process and result in more significant emotional difficulties.
It’s natural that friends and family members will want to assist you during this trying time. Unfortunately, when a loved one dies suddenly and traumatically, these well-intentioned individuals are often at a loss for how to help. This dynamic can create a needlessly awkward situation for you and them, leading to additional hurt and distress.
Instead, be upfront about what you need as you grieve. You may need help writing thank-you cards after the funeral, or you might want someone to accompany you to your lawyer’s office as you pursue legal action. Maybe you just need someone to stay home with you and be present. Communicating your needs will help ensure that they get met.
Your loved one’s memory deserves to be honored and cherished. You can and should hold onto photos, letters, and other personal mementos that are meaningful to you. Just because you’re entering a new and unfamiliar chapter doesn’t mean you must forget about your loved one or their influence.
However, avoid the temptation to remain frozen in time.
You aren’t somehow dishonoring your loved one’s memory if you don’t keep every item of their personal property or repurpose their spaces. Keeping things precisely as they were when you learned of their death will only serve to remind you of your loss, preventing you from moving forward with fond memories and a positive outlook.
Don’t forget to look after your physical health as well. In the aftermath of a loved one’s sudden passing, it’s easy to skip meals, forget to rest, and unintentionally allow your physical health to suffer. However, doing so can exacerbate the emotional turmoil you’re experiencing and make it more challenging to move on.
Take time to care for your physical needs. Eat nutritious meals, get plenty of sleep, and try to engage in some physical movement each day. Simple steps like these can help you weather the emotional storm of a loved one’s unexpected passing.
Losing a loved one throws your life into turmoil and turns your world upside-down. The first several days following your loss will likely be hectic, chaotic, and unpredictable. It may feel as though your life is out of control. Re-establishing your routine can give you a sense of normalcy and control.
You don’t need to rush back to your old routine. Instead, start with small habits like going to bed or waking up at a specific time. You might be surprised how these little actions can offer you a sense of control over your situation and emotional responses.
If you’re concerned about whether you’re grieving too much or your grieving persists to the point that it begins interfering with your daily life, it’s okay to ask for help. Talking through your emotions with a trusted family member, close friend, or therapist can be instrumental to your overall recovery.
Contrary to what some may believe, the purpose of seeking emotional or mental health support isn’t to forget about your loved one. Rather, it’s about learning to express your emotions in a healthy way while maintaining hope for the future.
Whether your loved one lost their life in a tragic car accident or under other circumstances, grieving is inevitable. As you go through the process, expect it to take time, and understand that it likely won’t follow a linear path. Keep in mind, though, that permitting yourself to grieve and seeking help from others when necessary can help you process your emotions.
Saying goodbye to your loved one doesn’t mean forgetting about them, minimizing your loss, or “soldiering through” difficult times by yourself. Grieving properly allows you to honor your loved one while preserving your own well-being.
For more information, please contact our Augusta personal injury lawyers at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Augusta, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys
4137 Columbia Rd, Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 722-8784