How Houseplants Can Help With Grief (2024)

By Andre Roupp 13 May, 2024

Losing a loved one is an experience that can shake us to our core, leaving us feeling overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions. In times of grief, finding solace and support becomes paramount to our healing journey. While traditional methods of coping certainly play a crucial role, there's another avenue of healing that's increasingly gaining recognition: yoga.  Understanding Grief and Its Impact Grief is a deeply personal and complex process, with no two individuals experiencing it in quite the same way. It encompasses a wide range of emotions – from sadness and anger to guilt and confusion – and can manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Navigating this journey requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to explore different avenues of healing. The Healing Power of Yoga Yoga, an ancient practice originating in India, has garnered widespread acclaim for its holistic approach to well-being. While many initially turn to yoga for its physical benefits – such as improved flexibility, strength, and balance – its therapeutic effects extend far beyond the mat. In recent years, researchers and practitioners alike have begun to explore how yoga can support individuals through the grieving process. Embracing Mind-Body Connection One of the core tenets of yoga is the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and meditation, practitioners learn to cultivate a deeper awareness of their inner landscape. In the context of grief, this mind-body connection can be profoundly transformative, allowing individuals to acknowledge and process their emotions with greater clarity and compassion. Honoring Emotions with Compassion In yoga, there's an emphasis on embracing whatever arises in the present moment – whether it's joy, sorrow, or something in between. This principle of radical acceptance can be particularly healing for those navigating grief, as it encourages individuals to honor their emotions without judgment or suppression. By allowing themselves to feel fully, yogis can gradually release the grip of grief and find moments of peace amidst the pain. Finding Support in Community Yoga also offers a sense of community and belonging, which can be invaluable for those feeling isolated in their grief. Practicing alongside others who are on their own healing journey can provide a sense of solidarity and understanding, fostering connections that transcend words. In this shared space, individuals can draw strength from one another, knowing they're not alone in their struggles. Embracing Healing Through Yoga While grief may never fully dissipate, yoga offers a path forward – a way to navigate the complexities of loss with grace and resilience. By embracing the mind-body connection, honoring emotions with compassion, and finding support in the community, individuals can gradually reclaim a sense of wholeness and peace. In the midst of sorrow, yoga becomes a beacon of hope, guiding us toward healing and transformation. At Roupp Funeral Home, we understand that the journey of grief is a deeply personal and complex experience. While traditional methods of support are invaluable, we also recognize the healing power of alternative therapies. That's why we're excited to announce our upcoming event: Yoga for Healing Hearts. On June 8th at 11am, we invite you to join us for a special session of Yoga for Healing Hearts at Roupp Funeral Home. Led by the experienced EYT-200, Johanna Kodlick of Lizard Toes Yoga, this event offers a sanctuary for healing and renewal. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to explore gentle yoga practices specifically tailored to address the complexities of grief. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and guided meditation, attendees will learn to honor their emotions, cultivate self-compassion, and find moments of peace amidst the storm. Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Yoga for Healing Hearts welcomes individuals of all levels and backgrounds. No prior experience is necessary – simply bring an open heart and a willingness to explore. In the spirit of giving back, we kindly request attendees to bring a donation for Camp Koala, a local organization providing support for grieving children. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. If you're seeking a holistic approach to healing and support, we invite you to join us for Yoga for Healing Hearts at Roupp Funeral Home. Together, let's honor our loved ones, nurture our souls, and find strength in community. RSVP Today Spaces for this event are limited, so be sure to RSVP early to secure your spot. To reserve your place or learn more, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-renewal-yoga-for-healing-hearts-tickets-865649610287 At Roupp Funeral Home, we're committed to providing compassionate care and support for every stage of life's journey. Join us as we embrace the healing power of yoga and walk the path of grief together.

How Houseplants Can Help With Grief (2024)

FAQs

How Houseplants Can Help With Grief? ›

Studies have found that houseplants can reduce stress and anxiety, both of which are common feelings during times of grieving. They can even improve air quality and help you feel more relaxed.

What are the three C's of grief? ›

As you build a plan, consider the “three Cs”: choose, connect, communicate. Choose: Choose what's best for you. Even during dark bouts of grief, you still possess the dignity of choice. “Grief often brings the sense of loss of control,” says Julie.

What is the best plant for someone grieving? ›

While a white lily, the symbol of rebirth and purity, is the classic sympathy plant, a hydrangea is another good choice. The deceased's relatives can plant a hydrangea and watch it bloom year after year. This is a good sympathy plant for someone who wants to create a small memorial garden for their loved one.

What strategies can help manage grief? ›

For example, you may choose to take time out and acknowledge how you feel, sit in a garden or park, pray, cry, look through photographs or write in a diary. Do some physical activity – for some people, engaging in physical activity is a way of releasing tension and distracting themselves from the intensity of grief.

What is the most intense type of grief? ›

This is known as complicated grief, sometimes called persistent complex bereavement disorder. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble recovering from the loss and resuming your own life.

What are the 6 R's of grief? ›

significant loss. She called her model the "Six R's":

React: Recollect & Re-experience: Relinquish: Re-adjust: Reinvest: the loss: First, people must experience their loss and understand that it has happened.

How do plants help with grief? ›

In addition to the physical benefits, houseplants can also provide emotional comfort by helping you reconnect with nature and your loved one's memory. Moreover, plants serve as living reminders that life continues on despite loss.

What plant heals the soul? ›

San Pedro cactus, or Trichocereus pachanoi, has long been used by shamans of indigenous tribes living in the Andes mountains of South America for both healing sessions and spiritual transcendence. This large columnar cactus serves both as medicine and as a way for people to cleanse and connect their souls.

What is the flower of grief? ›

The purple hyacinth is symbolic of sorrow and grief. Including this gorgeous flower in a sympathy bouquet is an authentic way to acknowledge someone's loss.

Why does grief hurt so much? ›

The moment we learn of our loss, our braintriggers the fight-or-flight response. This heightened state puts extra stress on our organs and bodily functions, and we would usually experience it for a few minutes to 48 hours. But after bereavement, the effects ofthe fight-or-flight response can continuefor months.

How can I end my grief sooner? ›

Talk to a therapist or grief counselor.

If your grief feels like too much to bear, find a mental health professional with experience in grief counseling. An experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving.

What is a beautiful grieving quote? ›

"If tears could build a stairway,and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again." "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." "Grief is itself a medicine."

What grieving people don't want to hear? ›

Telling someone, “I know just how you feel,” can make it seem as if the person's loss is routine and unremarkable, just one drop to evaporate from the ocean of life. This may be true, philosophically. But save that wisdom for a philosophy class, or some long, sleepless night of your own.

Why should we not cry when someone dies? ›

It is perfectly normal not to cry when someone dies. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone deals with loss in their own way. It doesn't mean that you don't care, that you are cold, or that you are broken in any way. It simply means that you process your emotions in a different way.

What are the 3 C's of coping? ›

When it comes to coping with anxiety, the three C's - Calm Techniques, Coping Strategies, and Communication Skills - can be powerful tools in managing and reducing anxiety symptoms. In this section, we will focus on the first C: Calm Techniques.

What are the three C's? ›

The 3Cs Framework
  • Curiosity. Questioning one's own assumptions and seeking new and different perspectives.
  • Compassion. Deeply empathizing with people, especially when they are struggling, and taking action to connect with and support them.
  • Courage.

What are the three pillars of grief? ›

So, to recap the 3 pillars, it's processing in your mind, this is noticing your thoughts, coaching, therapy, talking, being in your head, and then there's processing in your body, this is any body work, mindfulness practices, movement, yoga, anything that helps you feel, experience, and notice sensations and energy in ...

What is the 3 stage of grief? ›

Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise.

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