Grieving is a stressful psychological and physical event. Feeling grief causes inflammation in the body, which can increase blood pressure and put us at risks for blood clots. When we experience grief, we are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infection. From an osteopathic perspective, it is no surprise that we are currently experiencing a pandemic that is centered around, and weakens, our lungs and blood vessels. This is exactly where grief lies in our bodies.
Learn about the two energetic disturbances that an experience like grief can cause and how our energy is affected by it. Energy is our life force that is unseen, unheard and untouched. It is the vitality and spark within us that allows us to function on a physical level and process on an intuitive level. Our energy is affected by what we think, feel, hear, eat and do. It is also affected by others.
Health Topic: Grief and its effects on the body
Symptoms: tight muscles (weakness and injury), dehydration, loss of appetite, nausea, sleep disturbances, possible development of depression and anxiety and cardiovascular disease
Causes and Risk Factors: loss of a loved one, missed opportunities, regret, environmental destruction, toxic masculinity, the patriarchy, racist policy
Tips from an Osteopathic Perspective: get outside for vitamin D exposure, deep breathing, sleep, connect with others and talk, be gentle with yourself, trauma and loss therapy
THE TAKE AWAY:
The term, “they died of a broken heart," isn’t just a saying. Grief can have major physiological effects on the human body, and can actually leave us more susceptible to cardiovascular disease.
There is an unprecedented amount of grief in the world right now and the COVID-19 pandemic has truly demonstrated our absolute urgency in needing to gather tools to help us process and move through grief. In this episode, I suggest a list of ways to manage grief. These things can be helpful alongside trauma therapy and loss counseling.
Contact Nicole Settimi, DOMP, RMT
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If you have a specific health concern you’d like me to address on my podcast, or you’d like to be a guest, email me.
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Nicole Settimi is a solo mom, an entrepreneur, manual osteopath and registered massage therapist. She built a successful health clinic in Ottawa, Ontario’s downtown core, where she provided healthcare services and a gentle escape from the stressors of daily life. While on maternity leave with her daughter, Nicole has decided to share her knowledge and clinical experience with the podcast world to help empower others to develop a strong sense of awareness and respect within their one body.
Music: Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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