The Covid-19 pandemic has affected our lives in many ways. Many people have experienced feelings such as sadness, depression, anxiety, and anger.

Experts say these feelings may be signs of grief.

Understanding how a loss of normalcy can cause grief, and knowing how to handle it, can help you cope with the changes in a healthy way.

Keep reading to learn more.

Identifying Grief

Grief is often associated with illness and death, but it can be brought on by any traumatic event. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many people are experiencing grief because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Often, individuals don’t even realize that grief is what they’re dealing with – but properly identifying the symptoms is the first step in fighting it.

Signs of grief may include:

• Anger
• Depression
• Fear
• Fatigue
• Problems sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Muscle tension
• Much more

Grief During Covid-19

Grief comes in many forms, for many different reasons, during the current pandemic. Many people have lost a loved one to the virus. Others have lost jobs or homes.

Almost all of us have lost the ability to foster social relationships, take part in recreational activities, and even the freedom to leave the house.

These changes to daily life can cause feelings of grief – especially when they’re all piled on, one after another, with no known end in sight. 

Coping with Covid-Related Grief 

The first step in dealing with grief? Embrace the process. No matter what caused your feelings of sorrow, it’s important not to ignore or suppress them. Here are some ways to cope:

• Connect virtually. For those dealing with grief during the pandemic, it can be beneficial to find a way to connect with others. Because we’re limited in our ability to meet face-to-face, many have been turning to video chats as a way to stay in touch. Something as simple as a Zoom call and seeing a loved one’s face can make a world of difference.
• Find meaning. Your loss – whether it’s the death of a loved one or a missed social connection – can feel unimportant when the entire world is dealing with similar issues. But your grief IS valid. Many people find that faith, whether religious or otherwise, helps them find a sense of meaning.
• Understand that grief is a universal experience. Know that you are not alone. Thousands of people across the globe are going through exactly the same thing as you are right now. Be as patient with yourself as you would with others.

Final Thoughts

Covid-19 isn’t going to last forever, and we WILL get through this. In the meantime, understand that what you’re feeling is normal. If you need help dealing with your grief, these resources from the CDC may be helpful: http://bit.ly/34DRqyY