Few things compare to the pain of losing someone you love. While there’s no way to avoid intense feelings of grief, there are healthier ways to come to terms with your loss.

Bereavement is the grief and mourning experience following the death of someone important to you. Death is an inevitable part of life, something that virtually all of us go through at some point—losing someone you love can be one of the most painful experiences you’ll ever have to endure. Whether it’s a close friend, spouse, parent, child, or other relative, the death of a loved one can feel overwhelming.

You may experience waves of intense and very difficult emotions, ranging from profound sadness, emptiness, and despair to shock, numbness, guilt, or regret. You might rage at the circumstances of your loved one’s death—your anger focused on yourself, doctors, other loved ones, or God. You may even find it difficult to accept the person is really gone or struggle to see how you can ever recover and move on from your loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss. You should seek help and assistance in the grief process.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral physical and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. It is okay to ask for help.