Hi guys!

Elliott back here for a little guest blog I was asked to write on a rather sensitive topic, managing grief.

Having lost someone close to me in my lifetime I know the feeling of grief and I would like to share with you what I did; and what I would suggest to you if you are experiencing grief over someone close to you.

The first thing that I would like you to do is to instead of feeling sunken and low; perk yourself up with the fond memories, share these with other people close to them, perhaps make a box of memories with this person, and open it when you feel low. The reason for this is it will still be celebrating the marvellous life of the lost individual, however in a more wholesome and positive way.

The next suggestion I have for you is when you will feel sad, or upset about this individuals passing think about how they would want you to grieve their loss, in my case I knew it would not have been in a negative way; so perhaps join your loved ones and discuss how you are feeling and grieve in a positive way, much like your lost one would have wanted.

Funerals are always difficult and this personally was the most difficult time of the whole endeavour, I felt this way as I thought of it as the final goodbye, and now I look back on it I shouldn't have made it this hard on myself as you will never say goodbye to the individual; however soppy it sounds as long as there is memory of them they are never gone so say a farewell to them, but not to your memories of them and impact they made on your life.

I do hope this blog leaves you with some positive ways to manage your grief, remember your feelings are valid and so are the feelings of those around you, remain sensitive and in time you will learn to deal with your loved ones loss. Time helps you heal.. Give time time...

By Elliott Halford
I am a 3rd year student here at the university of Chester studying physics