Navigating Grief with Kindness: Simple Practices to Calm the Nervous System and Rebuild Self Trust
Grief does not just live in your mind. It can feel like a heaviness in your chest, a knot in your stomach, or a constant sense that you are “on edge.” You might feel more tired than usual, forgetful, irritable, or like you are just going through the motions. These are normal signs that your nervous system is under stress.
At Paloma’s Serenity Counseling, I help people in Colorado understand how grief affects both the body and mind. When you know why you feel this way, it can be easier to give yourself compassion and start healing.
How Grief Affects Your Body
When you experience a loss—whether the death of a loved one, a big life transition, or even the loss of a dream—your nervous system can get stuck in “survival mode.” This can show up as:
Trouble sleeping
Feeling on edge or restless
Brain fog or difficulty focusing
A heavy or tense feeling in your body
Feeling disconnected or numb
Your brain and body are trying to protect you, but staying in this state for too long can leave you exhausted and disconnected.
Five Gentle Practices to Help Your Body Feel Safe Again
These simple practices can help calm your nervous system and bring you back into the present:
Ground with your breath – Place a hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take five slow, deep breaths and notice your body softening.
Move, even a little – A ten minute walk, stretching, or gentle yoga can help release built up tension.
Speak kindly to yourself – Grief can bring up self-criticism. Try saying something simple like, “It is okay to feel this way. I am doing the best I can.”
Reach out for connection – Talk with someone you trust, even briefly. Feeling connected helps your brain feel safe.
Give yourself permission to rest – It is normal to need more sleep or quiet time when you are grieving.
How Therapy Can Support Your Healing
Sometimes, these small steps are not enough because the grief feels too heavy to carry alone. Trauma-informed therapy can help you feel supported while your body and mind start to process the loss. In our sessions, we can also use tools like Brainspotting to gently release the weight your body is holding without needing to relive every detail of your story.
With virtual sessions, you can start this healing work from the comfort of your own space anywhere in Colorado.