Healing Through Movement

Grief Is More Than an Emotion

Grief is not only an emotion, it is a physical experience. Oftentimes, when a loss
devastates people, they talk about how their heart feels heavy, their throat feels tight. They
mention a sense of heavy weight on their body. These aren’t just metaphorical. Grief activates the
nervous system, which in turn impacts how the body carries tension and energy.
Many people try to relive grief through talking or thinking about it. Sometimes, they go
to the extent of avoiding grief altogether without realizing that they are hiding it in plain sight.

The Healing Power of Movement

This is where movement becomes important.
During the grieving period, our bodies tend to get stuck in states of shutdown and stress.
This is where movement can make space for emotional release. Somatic therapy, dance, mindful
breathing, and others can help in nervous system regulation, therefore allowing you to reclaim
yourself. Movement doesn’t have to be the only activity for this. One can do journaling, music,
art, poetry, and others in helping feel connected and heal without speaking out loud about grief.

A Gentle 6-Minute Routine for Emotional Release

I want you to try this 6-minute routine. For the first 2 minutes, focus on your breath.
Gently inhale and exhale. Observe the pattern of your breath. This is done to connect with the
body and come back to the present moment.
For the next 2 minutes, take a blank sheet of paper, pick any spot, and start scribbling or
draw anything you like. And then for the last 2 minutes, jot down everything you’re feeling. It
could be in sentences, words, or symbols. These 2 activities are meant to give a visualized
picture of your feelings to reflect upon.
If at any point you feel overwhelmed, just pause. Focus on anything that makes you feel
calm. You don’t have to let it out all at once. And at any point, never ever feel guilty about the
way you are feeling. You are going through something which isn’t easy, so please don’t be hard
on yourself.

Finding Strength in Memories and Memorials

You are not erasing grief by allowing yourself to breathe. A loss of a dear one can never
be fixed but it can be honored. One day when you see a photo or a memorial of your dear one,
may it bring you strength. If you are ready – you can share your memories or create a memorial here.