As much as Uk Memorials is a business with a focus on crafting beautiful bespoke memorials, we also want to be a part of opening the conversation around the experience of grief and loss, and the role that nature can play within it. Though this blog is a little different to the content we usually share, we hope it is a post that you will find useful wherever or whenever this finds you.
Taking A Walk With Grief
Nature can be incredibly healing – allowing us space to be mindful and find an unexplainable sense of peace. Many have suggested that being out in nature can be something that can enable those who are grieving to weave themselves back into a gentle pace of living, even while experiencing one of the deepest aches to exist.
Being out and about can be a simple way of existing with, and moving through, difficult feelings. Walking allows us to be present while the sensory experience of nature is immersive and can have a calming effect. Walking in nature can also allow grief to be present without it being too overwhelming. Some find it particularly helpful to walk to meaningful places to them or to the person that they have lost. There can be a tangible sense of peace found in the places that have a special meaning to us. For example, I like to walk around the Cheltenham university grounds; I went there often with my grandparents. I find walking there makes me feel connected to my Papa, even though he is no longer with us. There is a lake there with several ducks, as well as seasonal flowers and lots of greenery. Walking there is incredibly nostalgic, as well as being a space outside to explore.
Mental benefits aside, walking in nature can also improve other challenges that may arise with grief. For instance, it is unsurprising that many find that they either sleep too much or not enough. A regular walking routine could improve our sleep quality significantly which may make the world of difference to how we can manage in our day-to-day.
We would encourage you to take a walk outside in nature when experiencing feelings of grief. Mindfully approaching this time in your life may enable you to find your way with less anguish than before. Take your time, and go at your own pace – just as and when you are ready.
Nature Exploration
Grief can be wildly unpredictable, but the immersive experience of nature can enable us to feel rooted – even in subtle ways. Actively exploring nature can be a relief to those who are grieving. Renewal and growth in nature can remind us that life hasn’t stood still, even when it feels like it has. Engaging with nature, as opposed to just being surrounded by it, can prevent individuals from ruminating in their grief. Whether out in the forestry or exploring the coastline – nature is all around us! It can be joyous to try new things, like building a den or a fire. I enjoy watching the seasons change noting down what makes each one different from the one before. Absorbing and learning from life around us during a season of grief can be particularly beneficial to children and their families.
Nature exploration doesn’t have to be something that you do on your own! Finding community is also important for those who are grieving. Groups such as The Wave Project and Ramblers can provide a community in the exploration of the outdoors. They have the potential to transform the loneliness of grief into a time of connection when it is needed most.
What Can We Do, and who else can support you?
At Uk Memorials, we want to enable you to remember your loved ones with unique celebratory memorials. We care about the pieces that we craft ultimately because we care about you. Our amazing customer service team are on hand to speak with you about your memorials; the team can guide you through the process of designing a memorial as a tribute to your loved one, but ultimately, we know we don’t have all the answers when it comes to grieving.
Nobody should have to grieve alone. So, a final resource we would like to share with you is Cruse who offer bereavement support in a wide range of ways. All volunteers are trained and are on hand to speak with you about where life finds you. Though navigating grief in nature can be helpful, Cruse may be able to point you in the direction of some professional support too.
However life looks right now, we hope that things begin to feel on the up soon. Reach out if you need to, and take each day as it comes. Being out and about when grieving might feel daunting, but we hope that it is something that enables you to navigate this time with a greater sense of peace.