SPRINGBOARD CONNECTIONS

The Power of Self Care During Loss and Change

Just like a broken leg needs a cast, your body needs its own "cast" of good self-care.

When you're going through significant change such as a loss, taking extra care of yourself is one of best things you can do. Now is the time to put yourself first, to do the things you need to do to stay healthy. Often there are others to think about as well, but if we are not healthy we can’t be as helpful as we want. On an airplane we are told that when the oxygen masks fall, put one on yourself before you help someone else. We are no good to anyone if we don’t preserve our own health.

The stress of loss and change can cause illness, but you can protect yourself by practicing self-care. Some ways to do this are:

· Connect with other people who have experienced a similar loss, tapping into the healing power of connection. We are not meant to be alone through such times. Group support during rough times has been practiced through the ages. Find a safe place to receive support and to be supportive of others.

 

· Establish some easy self-care practices such as practicing breathing exercises, walking, sitting in the sun or drinking fresh water. Harness the power of nature through water, fresh air and visual beauty—this works to support the healing process and to bolster our immune processes.

 

Fortunately, our body is an amazing thing. "When an emotional injury takes place, the body begins a process as natural as the healing of a physical wound. Let the process happen. Trust the process. Surrender to it."—Colgrove, Bloomfield and McWilliams.

Just like a broken leg needs a cast, your body needs its own "cast" of good self-care. Practicing easy self-care techniques releases the body's natural healing powers. In addition, the support and love of a group sustains you in ways that are hard to find anywhere else.

Our bodies are remarkable, aren't they? What are some things you have done or are doing to take extra care of yourself? We can always learn from each other.

 

The Good News about Grief

Are you experiencing the pain of loss? Are you trying to move forward regardless of how you are feeling? Are you holding back your tears for fear if you cry you will never stop?

I have some good news for you. Grieving is the body’s healthy response to loss. By letting yourself experience your pain you are actually doing the best thing you can for yourself. You are allowing the body to begin the natural process of healing. By grieving you actually lessen your time of sadness.

"Amidst the worldly comings and goings, observe how endings become beginnings." - Tao Te Ching

Right after a significant loss you may feel numb. During this early period there are often many things to attend to and decisions to make that keep your mind occupied and away from feeling the pain of your loss.  Although it may be possible to postpone your grieving, it is not possible to postpone it altogether. If your life was too busy for you to stop and feel the grief of your loss, you can expect it to eventually erupt sometime in the future.

It is important to know you are okay even when you feel so bad. It is common to want to resist feelings that make us feel bad. It may even seem counter-intuitive to let these emotions flow. But that is exactly the best thing to do. The common saying that "time heals" is a little misleading. It is what you do with the time that really counts. "When an emotional injury takes place, the body begins a process as natural as the healing of a physical wound. Let the process happen. Trust the process.” Colgrove

Our emotions of grief are the body’s way of healing. Learning how to be with your memories and taking the time to grieve your loss will bring you the peace and healing for which you yearn.

Recommended reading for those you have suffered a personal loss.

1)    Colgrove’s little book is easy to read. A phrase, a paragraph or a page seems to have just the right words of encouragement.

How to Survive the Loss of a Love. Colgrove, Ph.D., M., Bloomfield, M.D. H., & McWilliams, P

2)    Coming in June three guidebooks for those rebuilding their lives after loss

In these guidebooks you will find supportive information, success stories, humor and actions you can take to support your healing and to create the life you desire.

1)    Taming the Memory; 2) If You Can See It You Can Do it; 3) Living Your Life Design
 
As a coach, I work with women rebuilding their lives after personal loss. I will help you understand your feelings and navigate your way through the pain of loss. I will support you in making peace with the past and in realizing a new, abundant way of living. You will find new energy, courage and hope. I am dedicated to working with you to discover the new gifts life is waiting to offer you. 

You can connect with me by email at coach@marlenelockwood.com. Please visit my website www.marlenelockwood.com to read more about the services I offer.