Transforming Grief: Practical Tools for Healing
Episode Overview
Allow yourself to feel grief; don't suppress it. Use EMDR therapy and meditation to process emotions. Recognise displaced anger as a form of grief. Develop a 'good relationship' with grief. Consider an 'anti-funeral' to share raw, unfiltered memories.
If you don't heal from what hurt you, you bleed on people who didn't cut you
Grief is an inevitable part of life, but how we handle it can make all the difference. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share their deeply personal experiences with grief and offer practical advice on processing and healing. After losing his mother to stage four lung cancer, Dr. Amen opens up about the emotional rollercoaster that followed, including moments of shock, sadness, and unexpected gratitude.
Tana Amen reflects on her own journey, discussing how grief can sometimes manifest as displaced anger and the importance of recognising and addressing these emotions. The Amens stress the significance of allowing yourself to feel grief rather than suppressing it. They share practical tools like EMDR therapy, meditation, and even physical activity to help process these intense emotions.
Tana talks about the concept of having a 'good relationship' with grief, viewing it as an ongoing connection rather than a final destination. This approach helps her maintain a sense of closeness with her late mother, turning daily routines into moments of remembrance. For those struggling with complicated grief, the episode offers a compassionate look at how mixed emotions can complicate the grieving process.
Tana's candid discussion about her childhood traumas and how they influenced her grief highlights the need for clean, unconflicted grieving. The Amens also introduce unique coping mechanisms like the 'anti-funeral', where you share the raw, unfiltered truth about your lost loved one in a supportive environment. If you're looking for actionable steps to navigate your own grief or support someone else through theirs, this episode provides valuable insights and heartfelt advice.
Tune in to learn how to turn your grief into a healing journey for both your brain and your heart.