Coping with Grief Through Nature and Essential Oils.

I recently lost my little dog Jip to a brain tumour. He was almost 14 and had been my companion for all those happy, joyous years. To say I am bereft is an understatement! The emotions just keep bubbling to the surface every day, and it is difficult to cope.

Losing a pet, in my opinion, is often worse than losing a human because their love is so unconditional and pure. Not knowing if they truly understood how much you loved them makes it an incredibly stressful and emotional time.

I've struggled for the last month with uncontrollable desperation and sadness, longing to see and hold him again. The emptiness of my home is overwhelming because he was such a big personality and my main sidekick in life. Wherever I was, he was, joining me with eager eyes and loving cuddles. To say I feel totally lost, completely numb, and desperate barely scratches the surface.

I felt it important to share this in an article because we all face these awful times in our lives. I want to share ways I've tried to alleviate the symptoms. I know that suppressing feelings can cause all sorts of problems within the body, and it’s important to express them and clear the blocks within. However, I’ve often fought them for fear of looking silly or weak. Grief can hit us unexpectedly, whether we're at home or in public. It’s a very real and strong emotion, and when it hits, it can break down your defences. It is important to realise that grief is a very natural human emotion, and one should never feel it should be suppressed, it just highlights our very humanness.

I’ve lost many people and pets in my lifetime, but I was shocked at how hard this loss hit. Some relationships go much deeper, and you become more bonded to that individual, making it even more difficult to say goodbye.

My Jip was my shadow, my confidant, and my partner in crime for all those years. He made me laugh every single day, and now he’s gone, the void is huge. That’s why I want to share how I am coping every day. Some days are easier than others, but most days are difficult. I take myself out into nature, and immerse myself in the solace of the trees, and breath in the purity of nature.

Trees are incredibly healing. Just sitting or leaning against one, alone with your thoughts, promotes relaxation and reduces stress hormones like cortisol. Being around trees can enhance your mood, often referred to as the biophilia effect, meaning we humans have an innate deeply engrained intuitive love of nature which is deeply imprinted into our DNA. Trees also release phytoncides, which boost our immune system, a massive plus when we are feeling low.

The presence of trees and greenery creates a visually pleasing, soothing, and calming environment. The sounds of rustling leaves and birdsong provide a sensory experience that induces relaxation, tree’s function as natural air filters, removing pollutants and providing cleaner, fresher air, they also provide shade and help cool the environment, which helps calm the mind.

Essential oils also help alleviate the symptoms of grief by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and uplifting mood, and for me, they have been immensely helpful.

Here are just some which help with the feelings brought on by loss.

Lavender 

Calming and soothing, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Frankincense

Induces a sense of grounding, helpful during emotional stress.

Bergamot 

Uplifting and calming, helpful during times of sadness and depression.

Rose 

Known for heart-opening and comforting properties, easing emotional pain.

Ylang Ylang 

Promotes a sense of calm and reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.

Balance

Assists the body to relax and provides a grounding balancing effect on emotions.

Chamomile 

Relaxing and calming, soothes the mind and body, easing feelings of grief and sadness.

Clary Sage 

Lifts mood and eases tension, helpful in managing the emotional difficulties of grief.

Patchouli 

Grounding and balancing, helps stabilize emotions and provide a sense of peace and acceptance.

Everyone is different, and not all oils will suit everyone. However, once tried, the benefits are usually felt at once. You can use essential oils through diffusion, inhalation, or applying them topically to the wrists, temples, chest, and back of the neck (always dilute with a good carrier oil). You can also add a few drops to a warm bath or use them in a massage with a carrier oil. Not forgetting doTerra oils are in the purest form, therefore can be ingested using the correct dosage.

In conclusion, the journey through grief is deeply personal, but the natural world offers a timeless source of comfort. Trees, with their quiet strength and enduring presence, provide a space for reflection, reminding us of the cycles of life and renewal. Paired with the soothing effects of essential oils, we can harness nature’s healing power in both subtle and profound ways.