The Oxygen Mask Principle for Grief

If we don’t take care of ourselves, then we will be no real help to others.To learn more about grief support services provided by Angelic Health call toll-free 844-948-0645 and ask to speak to a spiritual care counselor. Our Grief Support Kit is available on the community resource page of www.angelic.health  

When dealing with grief from the death of a loved one you must make yourself a priority as you deal with the loss.  Angelic Health Spiritual Care Counselor Chris Gregas equates this practice to that of the pre-flight safety instructions which advises that in the event of an emergency to put on your own mask before helping others, even their own children. Although this may sound selfish, it is in fact much the opposite.  Because in this instance if you lose consciousness, you won’t be able to help anyone.  The same hold true when dealing with grief.

“We can never give away to others what we don’t own ourselves,” says Gregas, a prolific book author and expert on grief. “If we don’t take care of ourselves, then we will be no real help to others.”

Gregas offers these ten basic principles of grief that you may find helpful as you work through your own losses.

Principle #1

Grief is universal; and therefore, it is mainstream in our lives.

Principle #2

Grief takes in the reality of death, divorce, and the dire daily circumstances we face in life.

Principle #3

Your grief will take longer than you, and others think it will.

Principle #4

Grief cannot be ignored, denied, run from, or medicated but it must be managed and embraced.

Principle #5

Grief, if not managed and embraced, can affect us negatively in almost every way.

Principle #6

The full circle of grief and loss is - hurting to healing to helping.

Principle #7

We must purposefully choose to not perpetually withdrawal and travel this grief journey alone and that includes inviting God into our pain.

Principle #8

Grief and the management of it allows us to help those who are not in the management stage of grief.

Principle #9

We must learn to celebrate the ground we have gained and firmly understand that grief is a journey and not just a destination.

Principle #10

Grief and loss are friends not enemies and growth not groaning tools.

Hospice provides palliative care for patients with a terminal illness and an estimated life expectancy of six months or less. This care includes nursing, home health aides to assist with personal care, social services, spiritual care, various complementary therapies, and volunteer support. These services give caregivers a needed break and a professional sounding board for their questions and concerns. Additionally, hospice provides follow-up support to caregivers for 13 months after the passing of the patient. Hospice care is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances.

To learn more about grief support services provided by Angelic Health call toll-free 844-948-0645 and ask to speak to a spiritual care counselor. Our Grief Support Kit is available on the community resource page of www.angelic.health  

The Oxygen Mask Principle for Grief

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