Most people grieve when they lose something or someone that was important to them. Grief is a natural response to loss. It is the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. The more significant the loss, the more intense your grief may be.

Even subtle losses in life can trigger a sense of grief. For example, you might grieve after moving away from home, graduating from college, or changing jobs. Although the loss may be subtle, it is personal to you and shouldn’t be brushed aside.

There are many different ways to help make the grieving process smoother and a little more bearable:

Ask for help

Don’t go through this alone if you don’t have to. Lean on loved ones or trusted professionals for support and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need someone to talk to.

Cry it out

Don’t hold in your emotions. Let your emotions go, even if it is something you don’t usually do. It’s okay to cry or release any energy that is burdening you at this time.

Don’t carry regrets

After a loss, you might feel guilty or harbor regrets about things that can’t be changed. Don’t allow yourself to be consumed in this negative thinking. Rather than focusing on what you could or should have done, focus on what you can do. Process your emotions and move forward.

Keep mementoes

You will never regret having something that reminds you of someone you lost. If you have a chance to save something from the person or thing you lost, make sure you make it something that will always remind you of the wonderful person or thing you knew and keep it somewhere very safe.

Shift your focus

I know that this one is difficult. Try to remember all of the good memories that you shared with the person or thing you lost. Remember that the person you lost would never want you to be unhappy. Live your life for them and keep them in your heart the whole time, they will be with you forever.