Losing a loved one, a relative, a friend or a colleague is an extremely challenging experience at the best of times; but dealing with grief in a pandemic is even harder.

Coronavirus has not only impacted the way we live, but also the way we die. In a normal times when a loved one is ill you might get one last chance to visit them, say your goodbyes, express your love, resolve your differences and comfort one another.

The pandemic has made grieving, an already overwhelming emotion, feel isolating.

Many hospitals do not allow visitors, households can not mix outside their bubbles to comfort one another, and funerals are currently limited to no more than 30 people.

Many people are not getting the send offs they deserve and people are not being able to attend funerals confuses the process of coming to terms with someone’s death.

People are also not allow to attend religious and cultural rituals like wakes and nine nights.

With mental health conditions like depression and anxiety on the rise due to the pandemic, it is more important now than ever to make sure you find a way to address and deal with your grief and emotions.

It is okay to feel sad and overwhelmed but, you should not blame yourself for not doing more, it is out of your control.

Here are some things you can do to help you cope and address your grief:

1. Talk to friends and family – it is better to talk about your issues rather than have them pile up up
2. Consider talking to GP or a mental health professional – to talk through your feelings with
3. Mediation – can help you to channel your stress and relax your mind
4. A healthy diet – can help you have a healthy mind
5. Exercise – when doing physical activity the brain releases endorphins which can help to boost your mood
6. Creative arts – especially useful for young children to help them to express their feelings
7. Music – music helps you to connect with your body and mind. It can help you to release negative emotions

By Danielle Grant