How to Navigate Your Grief Holistically

As we approach the turning of the year, a heaviness can settle upon us when we assess where we’ve been and what we’ve experienced over the last 12 months. For many, this year has brought loss in many forms: loss of a loved one, loss of a dream, loss of wellness. And just coming through what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, it feels contradictory to be holding such sadness, especially when celebrating the resting of the old year and welcoming in the new.

Somewhere in this heaviness likely exists grief. We all will experience it in it’s varied forms throughout our lives, and perhaps this past year presented circumstances that have left you feeling such loss.

Having experienced my own particular losses this year, I have come to understand that grief is not something that we can run away from, ignore, go around. We must let it move through us, in all its messiness. We must tend to it and learn to let it be a part of us.

We are capable of expanding enough to let grief in.

Tools To Support Our Healing Work

Grief’s presence along with our work to adapt to our losses often leaves us feeling exhausted, numb, depleted. Our sense of wellbeing can suffer, it’s true. Yet there are many supportive practices that we can turn to, to help us nourish ourselves while we navigate these waters.  

Below are some ideas to help you think about how to support your grief work in a holistic way.

Emotional Healing

Expressive arts therapies offer powerful outlets for our emotions. Journaling, creative writing, and engaging in art or music therapy can provide a safe way to express and process grief. Additionally, mindfulness practices, such as meditation and yoga, can help us connect with our emotions in a centered and peaceful manner.

Physical Well-Being

Nurturing the body is integral to holistic grief management. Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet, rich in foods that promote emotional resilience, stabilize mood, enhance energy levels, and keep us hydrated all play a role in our healing. Additionally, regular exercise, even in the form of gentle activities, can contribute significantly to physical wellness and serve to help us release emotional tension. Prioritizing sleep, especially as we may need more of it while we are working through our grief is vital to our continued healing experience.

Connection and Support

Building a robust support system is crucial. Whether through friends, family, support groups, or professional counseling, creating open lines of communication allows us to express our needs and receive the support we require during challenging times. Finding those who will create space for us to express our experience of grief is a powerful tool for healing.

Spirituality and Faith

For those with spiritual inclinations, exploring faith-based practices can offer comfort and guidance. Whether through prayer, meditation, or connecting with a faith community, spirituality can be a powerful tool in the journey of grief.

Self Compassion and Self Care

In the midst of grief, self-compassion and self-care become essential. Prioritizing activities that bring joy and comfort, taking breaks, and practicing self-kindness are vital aspects of nurturing oneself during this challenging period. Allowing ourselves to feel our grief without judgement or criticism, and experience it on our own terms is vital to our healing journey.

In Conclusion

Managing grief holistically, just as in managing a particular health condition, involves exploring and embracing a wide variety of practices. If you are unsure where to start, I encourage you to begin with what resonates with you the most and see how you feel, then try another. Build your resources as you move through your grief work.

Remember this is your journey. There is no one right way.

One final point. A big part of my work is to help others build healing teams of their own because I believe that we don’t have to move through this life alone. Grief is a life experience that calls on us to connect to others as well as allow others to offer their talents to lift up our healing journey. There are beautiful ways that many holistic practitioners support grief that you may not initially think of turning to including Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Aromatherapy to name a few. If you are interested in exploring how these practices may help you please reach out to me. I’m happy to help you explore these resources.

So as we say goodbye to the old year, and welcome the dawn of the new year, I wish you peace and strength as you manage the losses that may be traveling with you. May you continue to build your holistic toolbox with resources that build your sense of wholeness, and give you strength to face the year ahead.