The 5 stages of grief are a process that everyone goes through in the aftermath of loss. It is an emotional roller coaster that many people do not know how to handle because it can be so difficult to navigate on your own. This blog post will walk you through 5 steps, or 5 stages, of grief and help you understand what you need during the process.
You may be familiar with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s 5 stages of grief, which are denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It is important to know that each person will have a unique experience while they process their feelings in relation to loss. There is no time limit on experiencing these emotions; everyone heals differently at different paces. What matters most during this journey toward healing is how you take care of yourself now so you can continue taking steps forward as the future unfolds before you. Do not compare your process with others or think it should follow any sort of timeline because there simply isn’t one for processing grief from loss (or anything else, for that matter).
Denial and Isolation There is a period of time when you will not believe what has happened. This disbelief may be short-lived or it might last longer, but the important thing to remember during this phase is that there are others who can support you through your difficult journey toward healing – even if you don’t feel like anyone else in the world understands how you’re feeling right now.
Anger. You may find yourself angry at loved ones, friends, family members or even strangers because you think they should have done something to prevent your loss from happening. At other times, anger turns inward as self-blame takes over your mind and heart with thoughts such as, “If only I had done this or that, then maybe my loved one would still be alive.”
Bargaining. This is a stage where you may feel like you are doing anything and everything to get your loved one back. You might make deals with God or the universe in an attempt to change what has happened. Some people even go as far as making funeral arrangements and writing wills during this phase because they want to be prepared for when the bargaining fails.
Depression. Once reality starts setting in and you realize that your loved one is really gone, it’s common to experience feelings of sadness, loneliness and despair. The future may look bleak and it can be hard to see any silver lining around all of the pain you’re feeling right now. Acceptance This is the final stage of grief, where you come to terms with the fact that your loved one is gone and will not be coming back. You may still feel sad at times, but you have reached a point where you are able to live your life again – even though it’s different than before. 
Tips for Coping with the 5 Stages of Grief
The 5 stages of grief can be difficult to go through, but there are ways to help make the process a little easier. Here are 5 tips for moving through the 5 stages of grief:
Tip #01:
Allow Yourself Time Grief takes time and there is no right or wrong way to experience it. Don’t rush yourself through these emotions or try to bottle them up – they will find a way out one way or another. Allow yourself time to heal, grieve and learn how to move forward again.
Tip #02:
Find Someone You Can Talk To If talking about your loss with people who are trying their best but don’t really understand what you’re going through is too hard for you right now, then find someone else – a friend, therapist or counselor – that can help walk this journey toward healing alongside you. It’s important to know that no one person has all of the answers when it comes to grief; everyone needs support in different ways during difficult times in life. Finding a professional therapist may be beneficial if there isn’t anyone around that makes you feel safe enough to talk about everything on your mind. A compassionate mental health professional will welcome whatever you want to share, no matter how big or small.
Tip #03:
Express Your Feelings in Healthy Ways It’s natural to feel a wide range of emotions after experiencing a loss, but it’s important to find healthy ways to express them instead of bottling them up inside. This might mean writing in a journal, painting, drawing, going for walks or hikes outdoors, spending time with animals or listening to music that helps you connect with your emotions. Find what works best for you and do your best to stick with it – this is one way of taking care of yourself during a difficult time.
Tip #04:
Don’t Isolate Yourself One of the worst things you can do after experiencing a loss is isolate yourself from the people who care about you. This can make the pain and loneliness feel even worse. Reach out to your friends, family members and loved ones; let them know how you’re feeling and ask for their support. Let them do things like cook meals for you, take walks with you or just sit and talk. The simple act of communicating openly will help lessen the isolation you may be feeling right now.
Tip #05:
Seek Professional Help If You Need It Grief can be a very difficult experience, especially if it feels like it’s impacting every area of your life. If 5 tips aren’t enough or if the grief is too much to handle on your own, then seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in grief counseling. These professionals have dealt with these 5 stages of grief countless times before and may be able to help you move through this difficult time a little faster.
These are just 5 tips to help you deal with grief in a healthy way. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help – there are people who care and want to see you heal. Grief is a difficult process, but it is possible to get through it with the right support. We have eTherapy courses which help support you through the stages of grieving. Check them out here!
