Strategies and perspectives for navigating grief and loss

Grief is a physical and emotional experience that can manifest through symptoms such as fatigue, restlessness, chest pressure, and anxiety. Breathwork serves as a tool for grief support, not to eliminate pain, but to provide a sense of steadiness and compassion. By using conscious breathing, individuals can create a bridge between racing thoughts and physical sensations, allowing for better nervous system regulation during intense waves of emotion.

Kate Doerge, author of ‘Reimagining Grief’ and founder of the Penny’s Flight Foundation, advocates for shifting the perspective from ‘moving on’ to choosing how to carry a loved one’s legacy forward. Her approach emphasizes that grief and joy can coexist. Practical strategies for navigating loss include maintaining simple daily routines, physical movement, and finding ways to turn pain into purpose through storytelling or community service.