Post-Election Grief Is Real; Here's What You Can Do About It

Many people in this country today are in mourning and it’s very real. I’ve been a therapist specializing in grief for a decade and in that time I’ve seen our country grieve together on many occasions. But none so pronounced as this. Last night as I sat watching the returns with friends, my phone began pinging with texts and emails from my clients. “I understand grief on a new level,” one read. Another said he felt personally responsible for the outcome. Yet a third said her sadness over the election results was reigniting the grief over the loss of her mother. If you are feeling similarly you are not alone. Loss comes in many forms and the feelings surrounding this one are legitimate. Here are some things you can do to cope. 1. Allow yourself to feel everything you are feeling. The only way out of grief is through it. Once you fully accept that you are affected by this loss then you can begin to move forward and eventually heal. 2. Do not let others tell you that your feelings are not valid. Spend time around people who understand you, and take some time to disengage from those who do not. 3. Anger is normal, but use it constructively. Anger is a powerful emotion and can boost your energy, so use that energy in the form of being proactive in your community, writing letters to support causes that are meaningful to you, or even physical exercise. 4. Do not be surprised if you find yourself replaying events obsessively. This is a common stage of grief during which our ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news