Good Grief: Powerful Tips for Navigating the Grief Cycle.
Navigating the grief cycle is challenging and complex, a profoundly universal yet intimately personal journey that is an unavoidable aspect of the human experience. In the shadows of loss and significant life transitions, we often seek solace and strategies that resonate with our grieving hearts. You know, the things that make us feel good and alleviate the heaviness of our grief as we learn to cope.
Grieving is hard, but you’re still in control. Learn how to stay in control by exploring the foundations of coping at The Good Life with our 3 pillars of holistic therapy:
Movement, nourishment, & spirituality.
Each pillar offers unique dimensions of healing and support in embracing our vulnerability, so here’s a few tips that anyone can implement to make the journey through the grief cycle just that much easier:
Pillar 1: Movement
Intense emotions like sadness, anger, and confusion often accompany grief. The physical release of emotions by engaging in activities such as walking, jogging, or dancing can provide an outlet for these emotions. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood-lifters that can help tame feelings of sadness and depression.
In addition to exercise as the primary, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping and breathing exercises are somatic modalities that help the energy and emotions of grief move more easily through the body.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): EFT is a psychological acupressure technique that involves tapping specific points on the body while focusing on a particular issue or emotion. The idea behind EFT is that it can help balance the body's energy and reduce emotional distress.
Breathing Exercises: Box breathing, belly breathing, or Bhramari Pranayama can have similar effects. Bhramari pranayama is a breathing technique found in yoga and meditation that involves making a humming sound while exhaling, similar to the sound of a humming bee; the gentle vibrations calm the nervous system and release trapped emotional energy in the body.
Pillar 2: Nourishment
Well-balanced nutrition is essential for physical and emotional well-being. Grief can affect your appetite, but maintaining a balanced diet with nutrient-rich Good Mood Foods gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to cope with the stress and sadness you are dealing with after loss.
Dehydration can also worsen emotional distress and physical symptoms related to grief. Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and can help stabilize mood and energy levels.
Grief can sometimes lead to emotional eating as a coping mechanism. Being mindful of your eating habits and how different foods make you feel can help you make the best choices depending on the day and how you feel, as grief is an ever-changing state that never fully ends.
In grief, we want to be nurtured, held, cared for, and comforted; remember to do that with yourself and your self-talk. Be kind to yourself and practice healthy diet habits.
Negative self-talk around eating certain foods or binge eating are all ways we can prolong intense grief.
Pillar 3: Spirituality
Many people turn to their spiritual beliefs and practices to find meaning and purpose in the face of grief. Spirituality can provide a framework for understanding loss and offer comfort and solace. Places of worship and spiritual communities often provide a sense of belonging and support during challenging times.
Sharing your grief with others who share your faith or beliefs can be comforting.
In the same ways spirituality can provide comfort, grieving can also create doubts about certain long-held beliefs and religions. These questions and explorations are natural and should be explored in a safe and loving environment.
What do you believe? What would you like to believe? What do you feel is true for you? How does this fit for you now?
Identifying how your spirituality may have been changed by grief allows you to settle into new traditions/rituals and provide structure and a sense of continuity during the grieving process.
Grief is a profoundly personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. Healing through movement, nutrition, and spirituality can be a powerful combination. Still, ultimately, the key is to find the strategies and support that resonate with you and help you navigate the grieving process in your own way.
We Can Grieve Together
Consider this a heartfelt reminder that the grieving process is a part of the human experience, extending beyond the realm of death. It touches the lives of individuals grappling with diverse challenges, such as divorce, job loss, breakups, infertility, blended families, chronic or terminal illness, and a myriad of other life-altering events.
In these moments, it's crucial to acknowledge that the emotions of grief and loss are just as valid and significant as in the context of death.
Let us remain mindful of these varied sources of grief and extend our support, empathy, and understanding to those navigating them. Grief is a profound and intricate journey, unique to each individual, and acknowledging its presence can offer solace and strength to those in need.
Please reach out to schedule a Free 15-minute Consultation to connect and begin your journey to the Good Life.
With love,
