Healthy Grieving through Mindfulness

May 12, 2023

Happier, Healthier, and More Stress Free in 2023!

#20 of 52 Healthy Grieving through Mindfulness

Hello and welcome! This is the 20th of 52 weekly Mindfully Happy Newsletters from Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider, hosts of the Men Talking Mindfulness podcast, to help you become happier, healthier, and more stress free in 2023!

This week, we’re discussing grief. Grief is an inevitable part of life, and it can be a challenging and painful experience that can leave us feeling lost, overwhelmed, and alone. However, practicing mindfulness can be a helpful tool in coping with grief and finding peace during difficult times.

When we practice mindfulness, we learn to be present in the moment and to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment. This allows us to be fully present with our grief and to acknowledge and process our feelings without getting stuck in them. By staying present and aware, we can avoid falling into a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions that can make grief even more difficult to manage.

Mindfulness can be especially helpful in coping with grief in the following ways:

1. Accepting our emotions: One of the biggest challenges of grief is accepting the emotions that come with it. Sometimes we may feel guilty, angry, or sad, and we might be tempted to suppress those emotions. However, mindfulness teaches us to accept whatever emotions arise, without judgment. By acknowledging our feelings and giving ourselves permission to feel them, we can begin to process them and move towards healing.

2. Staying present: When we are grieving, we may find ourselves dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. However, mindfulness helps us to stay focused on the present moment. By focusing on our breath or our physical sensations, we can train our minds to stay in the present moment, rather than getting caught up in thoughts and emotions that may not be helpful.

3. Being kind to ourselves: Grief can be a time when we are especially hard on ourselves. We might feel like we should be over it by now or that we're not coping as well as we should be. However, mindfulness encourages us to be kind and compassionate to ourselves. Instead of judging ourselves for our feelings or experiences, we can learn to be gentle and supportive, offering ourselves the same kindness and understanding that we would offer to a close friend.

4. Connecting with others: Grief can be a very isolating experience, but mindfulness can help us to connect with others who are also grieving. By practicing mindfulness in a group setting or attending a mindfulness-based grief support group, we can find solace in the shared experience of grief and feel less alone.

In summary, mindfulness can be a valuable tool in coping with grief. By staying present, accepting our emotions, being kind to ourselves, and connecting with others, we can find comfort and peace during difficult times. Remember, grief is a journey, and it takes time and patience to heal. With the help of mindfulness, we can navigate that journey with greater ease and compassion.

If you are struggling with grief, consider incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Try mindful breathing, body scan meditation, loving-kindness meditation, or mindful journaling to help you process your emotions and find peace in the present moment. And remember, you are not alone. There is a supportive community of mindfulness and meditation practitioners who are here to support you on your journey of healing.

With utmost respect and gratitude,

Jon and Will

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