Coping With Grief

Understanding Grief

Grief is that inevitable, universal experience that touches everyone’s life at some point. While mourning is how grief is outwardly expressed–through rituals and customs– grief itself is the internal feeling of sadness, confusion, or loneliness we experience when we lose something or someone important to us. 

How is Grief Experienced?

We all experience grief in unique ways, but there are common patterns that emerge. While Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ five stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are widely recognized (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005), modern theories suggest that these stages aren't necessarily experienced in a linear order. Cultural background or personality can significantly shape one's grief experience (Stroebe & Schut, 2010).

Impacts on Grief

Grief impacts more than just emotions—it deeply affects overall health. Physically, grief may weaken immunity, disrupt sleep, and trigger inflammation, worsening chronic conditions. Cognitively, grieving individuals often face difficulties concentrating, confusion, or become preoccupied with their loss. When grief persists intensely over an extended period, it can evolve into complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief disorder, significantly impacting mental and physical well-being (Newson et al., 2011).

Strategies for Coping with Grief

Grief’s all-consuming force can make it feel impossible to overcome, but there are tried-and-true strategies to help us navigate it in healthy ways. Quality rest is a vital part of the grieving process - by creating space between moments of grief through adequate sleep or taking leisurely breaks - that nurtures resilience and increases our capacity to cope with grief and other life stressors (Iwasaki et al., 2015). Interestingly, horror films also provide unexpected comfort to many grieving individuals, as engaging with fictional scary situations is thought to serve as a safe channel for managing their real-life fears and anxieties, offering a sense of control and emotional relief (Clasen et al., 2020).

Conclusion - Finding a Personal Path to Healing

Ultimately, coping with grief takes time, patience, and self-compassion. Everyone deals with loss differently, so it's important to find what helps you personally. Whether through restful solitude, connecting with others, or even enjoying the cathartic thrill of a horror film, each approach can foster healing and meaningful growth during difficult times of loss.

Written by: Moxi Looi | Edited by: Amanda Bek

02/2025

References

Iwasaki, Y., MacTavish, J., & MacKay, K. (2005). Building on strengths and resilience: leisure as a stress survival strategy. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 33(1), 81–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069880412331335894

Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005). On grief and grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss. Simon and Schuster.

Newson, R., Boelen, P., Hek, K., Hofman, A., & Tiemeier, H. (2011). The prevalence and characteristics of complicated grief in older adults.. Journal of affective disorders, 132 1-2, 231-8 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.02.021

Peña-Vargas, C., Armaiz-Peña, G., & Castro-Figueroa, E. (2021). A Biopsychosocial Approach to Grief, Depression, and the Role of Emotional Regulation. Behavioral Sciences, 11(8), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11080110 

Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010). The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement: A Decade on. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 61(4), 273-289. https://doi.org/10.2190/OM.61.4.b