The aftermath of a sudden loss can leave you with traumatic grief. If you’ve recently lost someone you loved, and you never had the opportunity to say goodbye, you might be coping with trauma on top of your grief.

Living with the weight of grief is never easy, but trying to heal traumatic grief can be exceptionally difficult. You may not know where to look for support. You might also feel confused about why your journey through grief looks different from others’ experiences.

Coping with traumatic grief can seem impossible. But there is a way out through the healing process. These tips will help you start coping with traumatic grief in a healthy way.

Give Yourself Time

First, it’s important to simply give yourself time to grieve. This is true no matter the circumstances of your loved one’s passing. But it’s particularly crucial for those who are struggling with traumatic grief.

You need time to process what happened, and your “timeline” may not match up with any stages of grief that you’re familiar with. You might feel like you need to “get better” or act “normal” by a certain deadline. The truth is that all healing takes time, and you can’t predict when you’ll feel like yourself again.

Turn to Your Support System

When you’re dealing with grief, it can be tempting to hide away from the world. After the funeral and other memorial services, people may stop reaching out to offer their help or their sympathies. When the crowd fades away, you might feel partially relieved — now, you can have some privacy.

But you might also feel lonely, with no idea how to reach out to people when you do need support. Think of trusted friends and family members who you trust, and make it a point to text or call them when you’re feeling listless. You don’t need to make specific plans. Just relaxing together at home can lift your mood and remind you that you have people in your life who care.

Creative Expression

Tapping into your creativity can help you process your grief. For example, you could write in a journal, play an instrument, sketch or paint, dance, or try out any other number of art forms. You do not have to display any of your creative projects publicly or share these expressions with anyone.

Allowing yourself to keep your work private can help you feel free to express what’s truly on your mind. You can say anything that you feel, and finding a place for it in your art may help you make sense of your emotions.

Focus on Healthy Habits

It’s true that keeping up with healthy habits can be easier said than done when you’re living with traumatic grief. However, it can work wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing.

You don’t have to make it to the gym every day, make a home-cooked meal each night, or continuously get eight hours of sleep. But making an effort to do so can have a positive impact on your mood, even if you can’t always maintain these routines.

Talk to a Therapist

Finally, if you’re dealing with traumatic grief, you’ll want to work with a therapist. Look for a therapist who specializes in grief counseling and has some experience supporting clients suffering from traumatic grief. By meeting with a therapist regularly, you will have a safe space where you can share whatever happens to be on your mind. You’ll learn coping skills to navigate everyday life while healing.

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Are you struggling to cope with traumatic grief? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for trauma therapy.