The death of a loved one may deeply impact friends and family.

Overcome with grief, many can’t bear the thought of living without that person and may feel that there is no end to their suffering. However, with the proper support and coping mechanisms, people can recover and heal from great tragedies. The ADAMHS Board of Franklin County offers several positive ways to cope with grief:

• Exercising – This is a great way to relieve stress, reduce the symptoms of depression and improve self-esteem and mood. Endorphins are released during exercise, which create a natural feeling of euphoria. Children and adults alike can reap the benefits of exercise while coping with their loss. Taking a long walk, going to the gym and practicing yoga, are all good exercises that can help someone cope with their grief.

• Journaling – Another great way for children and adults to cope with the loss of a loved one is to write in a journal. Journaling allows someone to express their feelings and in doing so, allows them to reflect on their thoughts and emotions. Journaling can also reduce stress and provide a positive and private outlet to grieve. Lastly, journaling helps prevent people from bottling up their emotions.

• Support Groups – It may be beneficial to join a support group. Some people find it helpful to share their experience with others who have gone through a similar loss. Support groups offer a non-judgmental place to express your thoughts and feelings about the loss. Sharing your grief with others can help the healing process.

• Creativity – Try getting creative. Expressive art therapy, such as painting, drawing and sculpting, can help someone cope with their grief. The art process helps relieve tension and stress and allows both children and adults to physically place their grief outside of themselves onto canvas, paper or other mediums.

The techniques mentioned above can be therapeutic and help with the healing process. However, although it is normal to grieve the loss of a loved one, seek professional help if: you are feeling suicidal, you blame yourself for the loss, you feel disconnected and distant from friends and family for more than several weeks or you are unable to perform daily tasks and activities. Coping with the loss of a loved one can be a difficult process. Everyone grieves differently, and some people may mourn their loss longer than others. With the proper treatment and support, people can recover from their loss and begin to heal from their grief.