What is Grief?

• Grief is a natural reaction when someone close to you has died.
• There is no right or wrong way to grieve – there are a range of emotions that will vary in intensity. These may include:
• Shock
• Numbness
• Anger
• Sadness
• Relief
• Guilt
• Depression
• Loneliness
• Often grief is a time of reflection with significant change and adjustment.

You may notice some or all of the following are affected:

Sleep is affected, both getting to sleep and/or staying asleep

You may experience nightmares or dreaming about the person who has died.

You may find it harder to socialise and be in larger groups. You may notice you find it harder to leave your home.

You may feel more anxious and/or panicky

• It may be harder to concentrate
• Feel like you are in a bubble

Physical feelings:
As well as the range of emotions experienced when you are grieving, it is not uncommon to notice physical reactions. Again, there is no right or wrong way nor set amount of time this will last, but you may notice: More aches and pains in your body and lack of energy. You may feel more anxious or panicky.

There are a number of factors that impact on how we grieve:

• Our relationship to the person who has died
• Who we are as people
• What else is going on in our lives – such as financial changes, health issues, problems at work
• Who else we are supporting
• Other losses we have experienced.