Additional Resources
Breathing Exercises
These breathing exercises can help your body to find physical relief and give your mind some comfort:
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Box breathing exercise (for acute anxiety) - breathe in through your nose for a slow count of four, hold your breath gently for a count of four, exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of four, pause and empty your lungs for a count of four. Repeat these steps three times.
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The Elongated Out-Breathe (for deep rest) - inhale gently through your nose for a count of four, exhale very slowly through pursed lips for a long count of seven, ensuring that your exhale is longer than your inhale acting like an automatic biological brake lowering your heart rate and soothing your stomach.
Reading Recommendations
When Life feels overwhelming and heavy these books might help you to find a little bit of calm:
Three comforting books to support your grief
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The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor, this is a lovely compassionate book, explaining why you feel so overwhelmed after a major loss.
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It's OK that You are not OK by Megan Devine, this is a very powerful book offering a safe space in which you carry your loss without any pressure to perform.
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Grief Works by Julia Samuel, this book is full of practical stories and ways to support you to navigate the non-linear ways of grief.