Experiencing intense feelings of grief following the death of a loved one is something that many people will go through at some point in life. Grief can either be debilitating or it can be something that you experience and manage in a healthy manner. You may initially attempt to deal with your grief on your own, and while this may work, you may also take an approach to doing so that isn't in your best interest. For example, many people turn to certain behaviors as they contend with grief that may not be healthy for them and those around them. If you notice that you're doing the following three things when you're in grief, it's time to seek the help of a grief counselor:

Engaging In Unhealthy Habits

There are plenty of unhealthy habits that many grieving people turn to. While these things may numb your grief for a period of time, they aren't a permanent solution — and they'll often have serious repercussions. For example, you may get into the habit of drinking heavily each day under the premise that being intoxicated helps you forget about the pain you're in. Some people will also abuse legal and illegal drugs to mask their grief. Others will skip eating entirely or eat excessively — and each of these behaviors can be detrimental to your health.

Arguing With Those Around You

It's common for people to lash out at others when they're dealing with grief. They may not necessarily blame those around them for this grief, but they may simply be short-tempered and aggressive to these people. For example, if you have a deep amount of grief but aren't dealing with it in a constructive manner, the slightest thing might set you off. This means that you could yell at a spouse for asking you to do something, punish your children for being loud, or argue with a co-worker about something that you'd have let slide in the past.

Bottling It All Up

It's never a good idea to hold your grief completely in without releasing it in some manner. If you're the type of person who simply tries to forget about your grief and get on with life, the reality is that it may still be bothering you on some level. Holding stress in can potentially lead to a variety of stress-related health issues. Although it may be a challenge for you to share your feelings with a grief counselor, this health professional will gently guide you through the process and help you successfully and healthily manage your feelings of grief.

Contact a grief support service for more information and assistance.