Grief is something we all experience in our lifetime. We can feel it after a loved one dies. But it can come up after many other kinds of loss, too, like ending a relationship, losing a job, or saying goodbye to a familiar way of life (like raising children).
Grief doesn’t follow steps, it doesn’t have a deadline, and it’s always painful. But grief is also a shared human experience – something that we all go through at some point in our lives. It’s not a sign that anything is “wrong,” but just that we’ve loved fully and that we’re human.
This Grief Awareness Day, MINES wants to help you hold space for grief. These losses are not something you need to “move past.” Grief is simply a part of our lives that we need to learn to carry, with understanding and kindness toward ourselves.
Ways to cope with grief
There isn’t one right way to grieve. You might feel numb, angry, exhausted, or strangely calm – and those responses are all normal. The path through grief is personal and often nonlinear. Coping with grief isn’t about erasing the pain or pretending it didn’t happen. It’s about finding ways to move forward alongside it in your own way.
Allow yourself to feel
Trying to ignore grief doesn’t make it disappear. Noticing what you’re feeling – whether it’s sadness, anger, guilt, or relief – can help you process it. Accepting your emotions doesn’t fix grief, but it can help you move through it.
You may notice waves of emotion at unexpected times, like when you hear a special song, see a photo of your loved one, or even out of nowhere during routine tasks. Checking in with yourself periodically and naming what you feel can help you remain aware of your emotional state. This awareness allows you to respond intentionally to your grief rather than being controlled by it.
Honor your loved one
You can create small rituals to recognize your loss. This could be lighting a candle, visiting a meaningful place where you have memories with your loved one, keeping a memory book, or marking anniversaries in a way that feels right to you. These rituals can be a way to both honor your loved one as well as develop a new type of relationship with them.
You might also consider simple daily actions, like writing a short note each morning about what you miss, playing a favorite song, or cooking a meal that reminds you of them. The point is to find ways to acknowledge the person you lost, keep their memory present, and integrate it into your life in ways that feel manageable.
Use coping skills
Grief can affect your thoughts and body, and it’s important to learn how to cope with these painful feelings. Simple coping skills – like journaling, breathing exercises, going for a walk, or calling a close friend – can help you manage through these difficult moments.
You might also try grounding or mindfulness exercises to help you stay connected to the present moment.
Coping skills aren’t about making grief disappear instantly, but about preventing yourself from becoming completely overwhelmed and helping you function in daily life. Keeping a small toolkit of strategies that you know work for you can make difficult days feel slightly more manageable.
Lean on support
Having a strong social support network is an important way of getting through grief. Talking to someone who listens or understands can help. Regular check-ins with a friend, coworker, or family member can provide consistent support and reduce feelings of isolation. Being around people who allow you to express your grief without judgment can normalize your experience and help you feel less alone.
If it doesn’t feel like anyone in your life will understand, support groups or grief counseling give you a space to be heard and feel understood. You might also consider online communities or workshops that focus on loss and grief.
Take care of your body
Grief affects sleep, appetite, and energy. It’s understandable if exercising and eating nourishing meals are the last things on your mind right now. But maintaining routines, resting, and moving your body are simple ways to take care of yourself during grief.
Even small things, like taking short walks, doing gentle stretching, or drinking enough water, can help stabilize your body when emotions are intense. Planning your day with realistic expectations for meals, sleep, and activity can also give you structure, which helps maintain basic functioning even on hard days.
Get professional support when needed
Grief counseling is a place to process your feelings safely and learn practical ways to cope. If grief has caused other mental health symptoms (like depression) to be triggered or get worse, a therapist can help you manage and cope. Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can be a good place to start finding professional help.
Therapy can also guide you in applying coping skills consistently, understanding your emotional patterns, and finding space for rituals or daily strategies in your routine. Professional support isn’t about “fixing” grief; it’s about making sure you have guidance, tools, and a structured space to manage grief while still maintaining your life.
Can I take time off work for grief?
One question that many employees have when they’re facing grief is whether they can take time off work. The answer is that it depends. Some companies have formal bereavement leave policies. Others handle time off on a case-by-case basis.
Federal law doesn’t require bereavement leave, but many employers offer 3 to 5 days for the death of a close family member. Some are more generous or allow you to use sick or vacation time to extend leave. There might also be state laws that allow you more time off.
If you need time off after a loss (for a funeral, managing estate matters, or just to rest and take care of yourself) check your employee handbook or talk to HR. You don’t need to share details. You can ask, “Can we discuss options for time off while I’m grieving?” Many employers appreciate clear and direct conversations.
Being recognized and supported at work can make grief so much easier to handle. Take the time you’re allowed. It’s not a sign of weakness.
If grief is affecting you right now, your MINES EAP can connect you to confidential counseling, grief resources, or therapists who specialize in loss. You don’t have to manage it alone – we’re here to support you.
To Your Wellbeing,
– The MINES Team
