A fictional superhero once said: “What is grief, if not love persevering?”
All Souls’ Day may have already passed, yet the grieving never really stops. The moment our loved ones leave marks the start of a lifelong battle that we have to face every day.
In a webinar, “Grief and Loss: How to Manage Your Mental Health,” Dr. Mariel Kristine T. Rubia, PhilCare’s Director for Corporate Mental Health, explained that whenever we experience loss, it is natural for us to feel a wide range of emotions, and sometimes, we might feel overwhelmed by grief.
“Grief is a powerful emotional and physical reaction to the loss of someone or something,” she said.
“It is characterized by deep feelings of sadness and sorrow, and often by a powerful yearning or longing to be with that person again. It is just more than sadness.”
She said feelings of grief might come in waves. It can be triggered by events like anniversaries or unexpected reminders.
Dr. Rubia emphasized that it is normal and okay to let people know what you need and what you don’t, such as when you don’t feel like sharing what you feel and experience.
During the seminar, the mental wellness expert also shared some ways that will keep us cope from grieving: expressing it through rituals and customs, making a memory box, telling your story, facing the situations, sharing your loved one’s stories, writing that person a letter, and getting in touch with parts of your grief.
However, Dr. Rubia also suggested seeking professional help if you can feel that you can’t move forward.
“Do not allow yourself to grieve for more than a year. If you cannot move forward, do something. See a professional and try to open up about your feelings for it will really, really help,” she said.