Is it possible to ease the pain of grief?

Grief is an emotion that can linger for a long time, perhaps for life, so the last thing we want is for it to be prolonged or to end up stuck and not moving on through the process.

Major incidences of grief are often triggered by loss.

The death of a person (or animal) dear to us often comes to mind for grief. There are however many other types of loss that can trigger grief that we might not see that way (be kind to ourselves at these times):

There are however many other types of loss. Each of these can trigger grief yet we might not see that way and make allowances for ourselves at these times:

• Relationship breakups
• A loved one moving away e.g. emigrating
• Personality changes that make us feel we have lost the person – growing apart through taking different paths in life or an illness such as Dementia that takes the person we know away from us.
• Loss of something else, such as a job or house.

The natural grieving process may take a couple of years for the loss of someone very significant to us. It is painful to get through all those anniversaries; visits to places that bring back memories; changing relationships with friends etc. . Then there are all the unexpected little things that catch us unawares and leave us feeling raw emotionally. And this is all ‘healthy’ grieving!

It is possible to get stuck in a particular stage of grief. Unable to move on, to come to terms with the new life that has to be lived, or to find the energy and motivation to move on. Now some extra support could be beneficial. I recommend contacting a Holistic Therapist because he/she will look at everything that is going on for the individual. Rather than dulling everything down (like an anti-depressant might*), the aim is to trigger the natural grieving process to resume and complete in a way that is healthy for that individual.

I recommend contacting a Holistic Therapist because he/she will look at everything that is going on for the individual. Rather than dulling everything down (like an anti-depressant might*), the aim of holistic therapies is to trigger the natural grieving process to resume and complete in a way that is healthy for that individual.

When someone struggling after bereavement consults with me, I often find that physical ailments crop up alongside the grief. Appetite and digestion changes. New aches and pains. Energy levels and motivation might be lower. Sleep patterns are usually disturbed from the start.

A package of support to start to pull things back together is always well received.

Self-help

If you prefer self-help, there are some examples below of things you could try. (Note: It is far more effective to seek professional advice.)

Homeopathic remedies

Selected from those readily available:

• Ignatia is a wonderful grief remedy and can be given straight away to support the natural grieving process. Indications for its use later are that the person is unable to accept the loss, so bottling up the grief and might fluctuate between that and sobbing hysterically. Often he/she wants to be alone and dislikes consolation, perhaps being over-sensitive to criticism. Involuntarily sighing might be noticed.
• Natrum Muriaticum is useful if the person is stoically suffering the grief in silence (stiff upper lip). He/she might be suffering alone or just confide in one or two people. The grief feels very stuck and the remedy allows it to move on.
• Staphisagria – This is for a person with a lot of suppressed emotions and a lot of apprehension for the future. Perhaps a hypochondriac. There is often indignation about things done by others too. This remedy builds self-confidence.
• Lachesis – great sadness combined with anxiety. The person is talkative and may be very volatile emotionally. Tends to get left-sided symptoms.
• Arsenicum Album – very anxious. Perhaps doesn’t want to meet anyone, feels he/she has offended them. Sad and tearful. Exhausted.
• Merc Sol – Grief with fear at night. Quite a quarrelsome and complaining disposition.

There are thousands of remedies available. Consulting with a homeopath will help you to find the right one more quickly. Many provide Skype or phone consultations. To visit one near you go to www.findahomeopath.org

Essences

can also be a great support

Bach – Rescue remedy can be given immediately to help support the person through any shock and it is can help if the person is feeling particularly anxious or stressed.

Alaskan Essences:

• To help the person to contact, open to and release grief carried in the physical body—Chrysocolla, Cotton Grass, Diopside, Ladies’ Mantle, Reindeer Moss
• To support, balance, and nurture the emotional process during the grieving process—River Beauty, Tidal Forces, White Fireweed

Get a range of essences from Healthlines in the UK

 

 

 

*Do take medical advice before changing any medications. This article is aimed at those seeking alternative ways to trigger natural healing