Grief: How to Console Yourself ......................................................

Grieving is one of the most difficult stages of life. Loss of a loved one is something we all face. What do you do when you lose someone you don’t know? In the wake of the mass shootings last month, you may have felt hopeless. If so, you are not alone. Here’s three ways to console yourself in the midst of a global tragedy.

1. Log off of social media: Social media can often make us feel more outraged, scared and overall hopeless especially during times of great loss. Taking time off from social media to assess your feelings can be more beneficial to you in the long term. 
   
   
2. Allow yourself to experience your emotions: Feelings of anger, sadness, hopelessness, etc. are all normal. These sorts of tragedies don’t happen every day, and anyone can be affected by them. Humans are naturally sympathetic creatures, and seeing someone’s life end so carelessly can very well drive you into depression. Learn to pace yourself in times of great stress.
   
   
3. Find a healthy outlet: If you still have trouble understanding and participating with the above two options, use those emotions on something else. Painting, poetry or volunteering for a cause can directly help to ease some of the pain you're feeling; it can be healing. You can also write songs, reach out to the survivors or anything that may be helpful to you. 

Remember, not all coping mechanisms work for everyone. We're all different people with different emotions! What's important is relieving the heavy emotions you have in the healthiest way possible. This is a difficult time for a lot of people. Remember this as you face these issues head on. 
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Candace Davis is TLC's Social Media intern. She has a penchant for writing about those with mental health struggles and all things social media.