Understanding The Effects of Grief and Loss on Body and Mind Part 2

Grief can have a profound effect on our bodies and our minds. Grief may diminish our health due to our literal heart ache. What is it about grief that makes it so difficult to work through and support others as they work through it? Grief equals vulnerability. Vulnerability and expressing difficult emotions are something that we're often discouraged from doing and may make others uncomfortable to witness. But to heal grief and process it positively, vulnerability is exactly what we need to embrace as both the griever and the supporter. As a culture, we often do not promote healthy and reasonable reactions to loss and grief because we are afraid of our own vulnerability. Grief is natural and doesn t have a time limit. Loss takes on many forms and effects everyone differently. There is a possibility of regression during the grieving process. It s okay to cry A LOT and OFTEN. It s also okay to give yourself time to heal and show yourself grace throughout your journey. Allowing another human being the space to grieve and share their vulnerability helps them heal and helps us understand what a healthy grief process looks like. Facing grief and accepting vulnerability may also prevent lapsing into long lasting depression. Being vulnerable is a demonstration of strength and self-confidence, not weakness.