How Mindfulness Can Help You Navigate the Grief Process

The anguish and pain we experience following a significant loss...

This is just one way to define grief. The real truth is, there are no spoken, or written words that can fully capture grief and loss.

Often, grief comes with confusion, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and so much more, but this experience is unique to you. Grief is a normal and natural emotional reaction to loss or significant change.  Loss is complicated and complex, and our feelings, are often as tangled and confusing as they possibly could be.

What I remember most after the loss of my mom, is repeating the words, “I just need a pause button on life, so I can catch up”. Everyone around me was doing “normal life things”, and I felt like a zombie trying to process words and images when none of it made sense to me.

How can mindfulness be the pause button we need? Mindfulness gives us space. In this space, we don’t need to process words or images, we don’t need to try to understand, try to make sense, or try to resist. In this space, we are simply in the moment and simply noticing.

Grief often pulls us into the past. Mindfulness allows us the opportunity to be in the present moment, noticing and allowing any feeling to arise and just be, without judgment, and with loving-kindness.

We might notice physical sensations in our bodies. Maybe there is a tightness in your chest or your throat. Notice feelings and sensations that arise in your body. Maybe you are feeling anger, deep painful sorrow, and loneliness all at once. The tangle of emotions you experience is unique to you.

Moments of Mindfulness can happen intentionally, or spontaneously.

You might prefer finding a safe and comfortable space, maybe somewhere in your home where you like to sit or rest. If you prefer movement, maybe you prefer a walk or hike in the woods. Sometimes, these moments sneak up on you while you're in your car, or listening to music, and suddenly, a wave of emotion hits you. In this moment, we can pause. Breathe. Just be. Simply notice. With loving kindness.