Grief and loss

Grief is a response to loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, a job or physical function. You may also be feeling grief at being on dialysis. Everyone experiences grief and loss in their life. But each person has their own way of dealing with it.

Grief can last for a while. It may be useful to reach out to your healthcare team when you find your grief affecting your life or making you feel powerless.

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Tips for handling grief

• Give it time. Give yourself time to explore the emotions you are feeling. Write them down, talk to someone or just observe what you feel. It might change from day to day and that’s okay.

• Talk to your loved ones. Talking to others can help you see the situation from another viewpoint. It also lets people know that you need their support.

• Relax. Grief can make you feel tired. It might be helpful to practice mindfulness, spend time with loved ones, exercise or sleep.

• Avoid. Alcohol and drugs will not help you deal with the loss and can make you feel much worse in the long run.

• Ask for help. If you feel stressed, you can ask family and friends to help you with your daily tasks. Sometimes people want to help but don’t know how. Telling someone what you need from them can take a load off you both.

• Do things you enjoy or try new activities. Even if you don’t feel like doing them, you might feel better. Getting fresh air or going to a movie can be great