The word grief is most often used to talk about how people feel when someone dies. Grief is actually a reaction to any loss. Some losses are easy to recognize. Examples include the death of a loved one, divorce, or the loss of a pet. Other losses are harder to recognize or understand. Examples include getting a dream job, moving to a nicer house, or graduating from school.
Other common life changes that cause grief and loss include:
- Serious illness or disability
- Social rejection
- Loved one sent to jail
- Job promotions or rejections
- Relocating
- Retirement
- Adopting or having a baby
- Losing a beloved pet
Most life changes interrupt day-to-day life and disrupt daily routines. People rely on routines to make sure they get to work, take children to school, or eat nutritious meals. They know what to do and how to behave because they do it that way every time. It helps people feel secure. Losing a routine means losing the security. People may not know how to do things differently. Their roles or responsibilities may change. The loss of a routine often affects every part of our lives.
When life changes, so do relationships. Relationships within families or friends change after a death. Friends or family may pull away from each other. A person would become an only child if a sibling dies. Other children may feel forgotten when a new child is born or adopted. Also, moving means finding new friends and building new support systems. Retirement can shift roles within the family. Graduating from school can mean starting a new life from scratch.
Types of changes that cause loss
Changes at work include getting fired, getting a promotion, retiring, and moving. Losses can include:
- Job security
- Financial safety
- Lifestyle
- Home or community
Changes in your family include marriage, divorce, having or adopting a child, a child moving out, and a loved one’s drug use disorder. Losses can include:
- Lifestyle
- Financial stability
- Sense of self
- Trust
- Personal safety
Serious illnesses and new disabilities often cause many life changes. Losses can include:
- Independence and self-care
- Work
- Financial
- Roles or identity
- Social life
- Hobbies
- Friends or family members who do not understand
- Desired appearance
Violent or upsetting events can be personal or community-based. They may cause physical losses. They also change the way people see themselves or the world. Losses can include:
- Feeling of safety
- Sense of self or confidence
- Trust in people, the community, a god, or a higher power
- Daily life as it was prior to the event
- Control of one’s own body
- Power
Coping with change
It can be hard to deal with day-to-day life when change causes loss and grief. Finding the right support can help.
Friends and family. People often turn down help from friends and family members. They want to look strong. But it is not weak to accept support. Letting someone help with chores or errands can make life simpler during this hard time.
Support groups. Some people like to talk to others who have had the same loss. In-person or online support groups are good places to find this type of support. Local organizations or health care systems groups may offer free or low cost support groups.
Religious or spiritual support. Many people find support in their religious or spiritual communities. Rituals and shared beliefs can be comforting. Clergy people or other spiritual leaders may offer one-on-one or group counseling services. Many people find comfort in prayer or meditation.
Professional support. Therapists and counselors can help people who need more support. Some professionals specialize in grief services. Grief centers help people deal with grief caused by any loss. A primary care physician as well as a child’s pediatrician can offer good resources.
Decision-making
People may need to put off or get help making important decisions. Grief can make it hard to focus or see the big picture. They should see if making the decision can wait until they feel more like themselves. If decisions cannot wait, it is a good idea to find an advocate to help guide them.
The word grief is most often used to talk about how people feel when someone dies. Grief is actually a reaction to any loss. Some losses are easy to recognize. Examples include the death of a loved one, divorce, or the loss of a pet. Other losses are harder to recognize or understand. Examples include getting a dream job, moving to a nicer house, or graduating from school.
Other common life changes that cause grief and loss include:
- Serious illness or disability
- Social rejection
- Loved one sent to jail
- Job promotions or rejections
- Relocating
- Retirement
- Adopting or having a baby
- Losing a beloved pet
Most life changes interrupt day-to-day life and disrupt daily routines. People rely on routines to make sure they get to work, take children to school, or eat nutritious meals. They know what to do and how to behave because they do it that way every time. It helps people feel secure. Losing a routine means losing the security. People may not know how to do things differently. Their roles or responsibilities may change. The loss of a routine often affects every part of our lives.
When life changes, so do relationships. Relationships within families or friends change after a death. Friends or family may pull away from each other. A person would become an only child if a sibling dies. Other children may feel forgotten when a new child is born or adopted. Also, moving means finding new friends and building new support systems. Retirement can shift roles within the family. Graduating from school can mean starting a new life from scratch.
Types of changes that cause loss
Changes at work include getting fired, getting a promotion, retiring, and moving. Losses can include:
- Job security
- Financial safety
- Lifestyle
- Home or community
Changes in your family include marriage, divorce, having or adopting a child, a child moving out, and a loved one’s drug use disorder. Losses can include:
- Lifestyle
- Financial stability
- Sense of self
- Trust
- Personal safety
Serious illnesses and new disabilities often cause many life changes. Losses can include:
- Independence and self-care
- Work
- Financial
- Roles or identity
- Social life
- Hobbies
- Friends or family members who do not understand
- Desired appearance
Violent or upsetting events can be personal or community-based. They may cause physical losses. They also change the way people see themselves or the world. Losses can include:
- Feeling of safety
- Sense of self or confidence
- Trust in people, the community, a god, or a higher power
- Daily life as it was prior to the event
- Control of one’s own body
- Power
Coping with change
It can be hard to deal with day-to-day life when change causes loss and grief. Finding the right support can help.
Friends and family. People often turn down help from friends and family members. They want to look strong. But it is not weak to accept support. Letting someone help with chores or errands can make life simpler during this hard time.
Support groups. Some people like to talk to others who have had the same loss. In-person or online support groups are good places to find this type of support. Local organizations or health care systems groups may offer free or low cost support groups.
Religious or spiritual support. Many people find support in their religious or spiritual communities. Rituals and shared beliefs can be comforting. Clergy people or other spiritual leaders may offer one-on-one or group counseling services. Many people find comfort in prayer or meditation.
Professional support. Therapists and counselors can help people who need more support. Some professionals specialize in grief services. Grief centers help people deal with grief caused by any loss. A primary care physician as well as a child’s pediatrician can offer good resources.
Decision-making
People may need to put off or get help making important decisions. Grief can make it hard to focus or see the big picture. They should see if making the decision can wait until they feel more like themselves. If decisions cannot wait, it is a good idea to find an advocate to help guide them.
The word grief is most often used to talk about how people feel when someone dies. Grief is actually a reaction to any loss. Some losses are easy to recognize. Examples include the death of a loved one, divorce, or the loss of a pet. Other losses are harder to recognize or understand. Examples include getting a dream job, moving to a nicer house, or graduating from school.
Other common life changes that cause grief and loss include:
- Serious illness or disability
- Social rejection
- Loved one sent to jail
- Job promotions or rejections
- Relocating
- Retirement
- Adopting or having a baby
- Losing a beloved pet
Most life changes interrupt day-to-day life and disrupt daily routines. People rely on routines to make sure they get to work, take children to school, or eat nutritious meals. They know what to do and how to behave because they do it that way every time. It helps people feel secure. Losing a routine means losing the security. People may not know how to do things differently. Their roles or responsibilities may change. The loss of a routine often affects every part of our lives.
When life changes, so do relationships. Relationships within families or friends change after a death. Friends or family may pull away from each other. A person would become an only child if a sibling dies. Other children may feel forgotten when a new child is born or adopted. Also, moving means finding new friends and building new support systems. Retirement can shift roles within the family. Graduating from school can mean starting a new life from scratch.
Types of changes that cause loss
Changes at work include getting fired, getting a promotion, retiring, and moving. Losses can include:
- Job security
- Financial safety
- Lifestyle
- Home or community
Changes in your family include marriage, divorce, having or adopting a child, a child moving out, and a loved one’s drug use disorder. Losses can include:
- Lifestyle
- Financial stability
- Sense of self
- Trust
- Personal safety
Serious illnesses and new disabilities often cause many life changes. Losses can include:
- Independence and self-care
- Work
- Financial
- Roles or identity
- Social life
- Hobbies
- Friends or family members who do not understand
- Desired appearance
Violent or upsetting events can be personal or community-based. They may cause physical losses. They also change the way people see themselves or the world. Losses can include:
- Feeling of safety
- Sense of self or confidence
- Trust in people, the community, a god, or a higher power
- Daily life as it was prior to the event
- Control of one’s own body
- Power
Coping with change
It can be hard to deal with day-to-day life when change causes loss and grief. Finding the right support can help.
Friends and family. People often turn down help from friends and family members. They want to look strong. But it is not weak to accept support. Letting someone help with chores or errands can make life simpler during this hard time.
Support groups. Some people like to talk to others who have had the same loss. In-person or online support groups are good places to find this type of support. Local organizations or health care systems groups may offer free or low cost support groups.
Religious or spiritual support. Many people find support in their religious or spiritual communities. Rituals and shared beliefs can be comforting. Clergy people or other spiritual leaders may offer one-on-one or group counseling services. Many people find comfort in prayer or meditation.
Professional support. Therapists and counselors can help people who need more support. Some professionals specialize in grief services. Grief centers help people deal with grief caused by any loss. A primary care physician as well as a child’s pediatrician can offer good resources.
Decision-making
People may need to put off or get help making important decisions. Grief can make it hard to focus or see the big picture. They should see if making the decision can wait until they feel more like themselves. If decisions cannot wait, it is a good idea to find an advocate to help guide them.