Grief Counseling Washington DC

Moving Through Grief

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“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.”
­-William Shakespeare

It might feel like a burning ember lodges in your throat, or that a massive weight presses against your chest making it difficult to breathe. Perhaps you feel fatigued, irritable, hyperactive, or depressed. Perhaps you feel nothing at all right now. All these could be symptoms of grief, awakened by the death of someone close to you or even a pet.

Symptoms may also result from a tragic world event, such as 9/11, or from the loss of something integral to your life—your marriage, your job, or a close friendship. Grief, unique to each individual and to each situation, can last briefly or for years.

When faced with these feelings, remember these key things:

1. The grieving process takes time. Don’t rush to get things back to “normal,” though others may pressure you to do so.

2. Don’t let fear stop the healing process. Grief reminds us of the inevitability of loss—not an easy thing to face. But suppressing your feelings will only short-circuit the emotional progression your body and soul need.

3. Unusual experiences, from extreme mood swings to seeing angels, can be a part of grieving. Stay with the process instead of hurrying it along.

4. No statute of limitations exists on grief. Take the time you need, and claim it as your own.

Do Yoga
Although any exercise can help get you up out of bed and moving again, yoga brings special gifts to anyone grieving. Here are some tips that will help:

1. Start by rolling out your yoga mat in a prominent place in your house; that will serve as a gentle reminder to practice. You don’t necessarily need to jump right back in to your normal practice. Feel what you need on a day-by-day, minute-by-minute basis.

2. Yoga can get you out of your head and into your body, giving you a bit of a reprieve from the anxiety you may be feeling. It can calm your nervous system and allow you to rest deeply. Conversely, should you feel a deep, can-barely-function despair, yoga can also begin to lift your energy and your spirits.

3. Sometimes what you need to do is simply lie in Savasana (resting pose) on your mat, focusing on your breathing. If you feel anxious, pay attention to the exhale, which is calming; if you feel depressed, allow the inhale to be deeper, which brings more oxygen into your lungs and revitalizes you. Allow your tears to flow freely, not trying to stop them or even make sense of them.

4. Doing a restorative practice can also be healing. Do a standing forward bend in front of a chair with a cushion or bolster on the chair seat when you are feeling anxious. Rest your head on the bolster. Supporting your head helps calm and cool your energy. Forward bending shuts out distractions and brings a sense of quiet.

5. If you feel low in energy as well as spirit, try a few standing poses. Doing a short sun salutation practice or a few standing poses (Warrior or Triangle, for examp...

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