Losing A Pet Can Be Devastating for Your Mental Health; Here's How To Cope With It

Death of a pet can hit hard—so much so, many people go into depression and are diagnosed with high anxiety. According to experts, losing your furry friend can still happen without warning. The trigger can be noticing how empty the house feels since your dog or cat died, without seeing them sitting in their favourite spot on the sofa or looking out of the window.

Their ever-wagging tail and bark to “protect” you can turn from memories to grief that does not leave you, ever. Mental health experts say grieving owners feel doubly lonesome if the humans in their lives do not know how to get help, as this sadness is not talked about much and you may not be sure if this grief is valid.

Studies say the attachment to a pet can be profound, as many people experience the death of a pet the same way they would the loss of a person close to them. Experts say there are things you can do to work through the grieving process that you may find comforting in this difficult time. A few of these include:

According to psychologists, it is extremely important to acknowledge for yourself that whatever you are feeling is a legitimate loss and it is fine to feel bad. All of your emotions—sad, angry, guilty, devastated—are normal, and there is no need to push them away, hide them, or ignore them.

Also, there is no timeline for how long you should grieve. Give yourself time to heal, as much as it takes to feel better.

Many mental health experts harp on the power of art as a way to channel your grief into something creative. That does not mean you need to be good at drawing or colouring. According to doctors, expressing your feelings through drawing or painting, music, writing, or even planting a garden can help transform that pain into something beautiful.

Even though in a trying and hard time, it may be difficult to take enough care of yourself when you are mourning a loss you need to take care of your health.

Eat a nourishing and balanced diet, get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and workout regularly. Experts say taking care of your physical well-being adds up to your mental well-being.

Many people just try to get a new pet right after they have lost one, thinking they can replace their sorrows with joy. But it is not that easy. According to experts, while there is no right or wrong time to do that, get a new pet when you think you are ready to love again.

While getting a new pet will not erase your grief or replace your lost pet, it will bring more love into your life.

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