HEALING RITUALS TO COMFORT THE BODY
Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions from the internet and various books or websites that offer a variety of ways to heal the body, mind, soul and spirit during the grief journey. For the next month, I will be sharing these suggestions with you and hope you take some of them to heart during your healing journey.
God be with you in the days ahead….
HEALING RITUALS TO COMFORT THE BODY:
1) Share a meal with a friend as a comfort and let the food nourish your body and your friend nourish your emptiness.
2) Make Pots of Soup. Share it with others and freeze some for the hard days so you have comfort food on hand.
3) Find nourishing recipes that are comforting to you. Feed yourself well and purposefully so that you avoid unhealthy snacks or eating nothing at all.
4) Make sure you drink plenty of water. Water is the major source of life to nourish your body.
5) Go outside every day – even if it’s cold. Breathe fresh air and move around.
6) Try to get a good night’s rest. Be aware if you are sleeping too much or not enough. If you are struggling with sleep, talk to your doctor.
7) Exercise. Walk or light exercise. A short walk around the block every day can help to bring you out of a sad mood. Exercise prevents depression. It takes strength to endure sadness. If you don’t feel like exercising, ask someone to exercise or walk with you.
8) Get a massage from someone who is loving and gentle with your pain. Find a massage therapist who creates a space of beauty and serenity. Take special time to relax.
9) Sort. Give away. Throw out. Label. Recycle. Sort some more. Move your body. Since your grief may feel immovable, move what can be moved. Glue what is broken. Give away what no longer serves you. Create beauty around you.
10) Get active. Grow vegetables or flowers. Houseplants in the winter to make your world not so bleak. From the beginning of time, the earth has patiently taught us about the natural cycles of birth and death.
11) Lament. Cry. Don’t be afraid to wail. Relieve your body of the burden of carrying repressed grief. Free your grief.
12). Schedule a visit with your physician for a physical. Let them know you are grieving. Sometimes what we are feeling on the inside can manifest itself in our bodies. Self care is vital during the grief journey.
13). Keep on Moving. Keep active for at least an hour a day. The more you move, the better you will feel!
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own?” 1Cor 6: 19-20
Next post will offer Rituals to Comfort the Mind...
Or check out my book:
Photo from the internet
Chaplain Mary George-Whittle
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment