Questions Often Asked by Grievers:
1. Why am I so tired?
Many people in grief report that they feel extremely tired much of the time. This is the body's natural reaction to stress. Taking good care of ourselves at this time is extremely important. It is helpful to carve out time to rest, even when the demands on the griever are great. A few quiet moments alone can help to reduce the stress and give our bodies renewed strength.
2. Will I always feel this way?
Many grievers wonder if their intense pain will last indefinitely. The answer is not simple. We all react differently to loss. Most people report that their grief comes in waves. They might remember a particular event or moment with their loved one and feel the loss acutely. Then the intensity lessens, and the griever can smile or joke about another memory. The initial pain of loss softens with time, but the loved one remains a part of our lives. New research talks about establishing a new relationship with the deceased. We are not asked to forget, but to remember with warmth and caring.
3. What should I say when people ask me how I am doing?
Remember that grieving is your own personal journey. Your answer may vary according to the time, place, and your relationship to the person doing the asking. Many people choose to answer somewhat vaguely. Such as, "As well as can be accepted." or "Today is a good/bad day."
We would like to hear questions that have been posed to YOU. Please email us with questions that may have pleased you, angered you, or those you found difficult to answer.
We would also like to hear your answers to the questions we have asked.
