This article also focused on the importance of remembering that grief is a completely normal reaction to loss. Expected feelings of grief are often shock, sadness, numbness, anger, and anxiety; however, signs of grief could be less clear if you are experiencing anticipatory grief. This article included several signs that could indicate that you are coping with grief as a result of this pandemic. These signs included: inability to focus, excessive sleep, fatigue, feelings of anger, feelings of irritability, headaches, upset stomach, re-experiencing feelings of grief, and being avoidant. Also mentioned were unhealthy ways to cope with anxiety, to include eating, drinking, or online shopping. The article highlighted to always remember that your feelings are valid and that you shouldn’t feel like you are alone. It is suggested that if you are unsure of how to manage your feelings of grief, you should practice self-care, give yourself time, remember that your feelings are valid,  reach out to family and friends, find support, and explore coping techniques.

      The article boldly mentioned that if you are struggling to deal with feelings of grief, that you should seek a mental health professional. Mental health counseling is currently being provided via telehealth in order to follow the CDC’s social distancing recommendations. If you have attended therapy in the past, you can inquire about switching to telehealth in an effort to resume therapy to combat your feelings of grief. For more mental health resources, check out the National Helpline Database:

https://www.verywellmind.com/national-helpline-database-4799696

The full article can be found here:

https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-grief-in-the-age-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-4801931