Grief has shaken me many times in my life. From losing my brother as a teenager, to feeling shaken up by moving across the country and missing home, to losing grandparents and pets this past year, I am no stranger to the grieving process. All of this grief came in different forms but at the end of the day it all felt the same. Like a kick to the stomach. A rush of agony to the heart. A knot in the throat. The sensations of a body waiting for a safe moment to cry and cry and cry. All of this is really heavy, I know. But there are ways that you can love and support yourself to make this process a little easier.
Let it Out
It is easy in these moments to try to flee from the pain. But instead, I invite you to sit with your feelings. Numbing yourself from pain doesn’t mean that the pain goes away. Give yourself the time and space to heal, this may mean getting some extra alone time, taking a nap, running yourself a warm bath, whatever helps. I’ve found it really helpful to channel the painful energy into something creative. This can be a poem, painting, photograph, free writing, music, or even a good home cooked meal.
Another way to help the body process grief is to use one of my favorite techniques, the Emotional Freedom Technique (also known as EFT). EFT works to reprogram negative emotions and energy through tapping specific acupressure points on the body while repeating phrases that correct the emotional blockage. It’s essentially the mental health version of acupuncture. I know it sounds a little out there, but it has definitely helped me in the past. Brad Yates has a great video specifically on loss and grief that you can use at home here.
Support the Body
In these moments of intense heartbreak, the body will use extra magnesium, calcium, and zinc because they calm the nervous system and put the breaks on the cortisol running through our grief stricken veins. This means that my first tip for anyone grieving is to consume mineral rich foods. Make yourself a rich broth or herbal infusion and sip slowly. Grieving is hard work for the body and it needs the extra nutrition. Breathing deeply will help to switch the body from fight or flight to a sympathetic mode where minerals will be conserved. When we are relaxed, we can discharge the heavy energy of emotions much easier.
The homeopathic Ignatia Amara 200c can be really beneficial for helping the body to process grief. While typically used immediately following loss, I’ve even used this remedy when I feel grief come up from the past to be processed out. Within 30 minutes of taking Ignatia, I was finally able to cry after feeling like I couldn’t. For anyone whose felt that way before you know how cathartic it can be to finally cry when you’ve been feeling down about something and haven’t been able to move forward from it. You can read more about Ignatia here. Everyone is so very different in how they process grief, so I always recommend booking a session with a qualified homeopath to really get the remedy that is going to assist you most.
Confide, Don’t Hide
Having a loved one or trusted friend there to support you is really helpful. The healing power of having someone hold you while you cry and vent cannot be overstated. There’s something about being seen and heard during dark times that make them so much easier to navigate. If you need extra support, confiding in a therapist, coach, or energy healer works wonders. I’ve also found craniosacral therapy to be really helpful in releasing chronic tension and stagnant energy that can build up during times of stress.
Above all, be easy on yourself. It’s cheesy but time is one of the best healers. Give yourself plenty of love and support and find others to love and support you as well. If you’re going through grief and heartache of any kind right now, I’m sending you so much love and healing!
What are some of the ways you’ve coped with grief? Comment any tips you have below, I’d love to hear.