Grief is not a joyful subject to dwell on - but knowing how to make it through is key to your health!  

Not knowing how to deal with grief nearly killed me. I know this topic may seem like an aberration in a newsletter about how to live longer and stronger - but the truth is that at one time or another, we are all going to face the emotion of grief. If we don’t manage it and find a path through this awful storm, we will destroy ourselves.

For some of us that destruction is through the detour of addiction rather than through the storm of grief. For many - myself included - it was abandoning the health practices I knew to be good for me and eventually my health started to fail.

I lost my father in a car accident over a decade ago. He was my friend and business partner. I stopped playing sports, didn’t want to exercise, eat healthy, get good sleep, or dwell on things I could be grateful for. Inside I had died.

This week my wife and I on separate occasions sat with two different friends being destroyed by cancer. I also had a friend lose his healthy mom far too young yesterday. He texted me in a group chat about how upset he was and another friend who is not a person of faith said something profound - “I wish we could be there to grieve with you in person.”

Sometimes that is all someone dealing with grief needs - just someone to be around - they don’t have to cheer you up, distract you or give you therapy - just hold space for you.

For those who hold a worldview that includes the supernatural - prayer is a powerful thing - it brings you intimately into the situation and feelings of the moment and I believe it engages the unseen realm to bring courage and comfort beyond human understanding.

To anyone grieving or if you want to know the best practices to make it through the storm - here are some things I’ve learned a long the way.

How to make it through the storm of grief.

The adage on airplanes about wearing your oxygen mask is what you do first in order to help others. We ignore this so much in life. We can say we love others all we want but if we don’t practice some self care and discipline - we are of no use to anyone.

• I really do think the storm analogy is a good one to describe grief. You aren’t gonna outrun the storm (i.e. exercise and sauna and spinach won’t take away the pain), your goal is to survive and make it through the storm. The storm is directly overhead - the only way to see rays of light is to walk forward.

• That can begin with walking - exercise - staying active. It may be painful, and make no sense - but do it every day. Do it until you sweat.

• Sleep is so important - hopefully the exercise will help you be able to actually fall asleep - because in the midst of such mental turmoil it can be hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Eat healthy - I know you won’t feel like it but unless you want to burden others down, put your own health as a priority and healthy nutrient dense food is essential as the cortisol and depression try to wreak havoc on your life.

• Companionship - find someone to spend time with. Better yet - try to do something active and outdoors with that person or persons.

• I’ve seen time and time again that grief is a time when people ask alot of questions - some they have never asked before. It is often a time of significant growth. But make no mistake - it’s painful growth. No getting around it. There are no shortcuts through the storm of grief - just keep marching and you will see rays of hope and light. Sometimes those of us who have gone through grief can be those rays of light in someone’s life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👋

Have you experienced grief? What got you through it?

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How Self-Doubt Can Become Your Superpower 

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna

Forgiveness May Be Your Missing Ingredient

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.