Compassion Summer 2021

Summer 2021 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 15 if you’re either not eating very well or not eating enough. As stress affects the health of the gut microbiome, which is important for all aspects of health and is where mood- boosting serotonin is manufactured, it can be very helpful to take a probiotic too. It’s common for GP’s to offer antidepressants but many people are unaware that there are supplements which studies have shown are as effective as antidepressants but without the side effects. Seeking the advice of a registered nutritional therapist for personalised advice is a really good way to support yourself during the grieving process, particularly if you’re struggling with anxiety, low mood, sleep, fatigue, digestive symptoms or poor immunity. Exercise and sleep Exercise helps expend the body’s stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, which, if excessive, can be problematic during and after a trauma. Exercise also increases the levels of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters. Yoga can be especially helpful for calming an over- triggered nervous system and has been shown to help with symptoms of PTSD - survivors of 9/11 with PTSD cited yoga as being more helpful than conventional talk therapies. Not being able to sleep when you’re grieving and traumatised can feel like additional torture. You can go to dark places at 3 am or find you get unpleasant adrenaline rushes when you wake suddenly. Natural remedies can help and you could also try a sleep App or specific breathing techniques. There’s no getting around the fact that the physical symptoms of grief and trauma can be a lot to deal with in addition to our emotional pain. But taking charge of our health can be a way we are able to exert some control during a very out of control time. We know the effects of losing a child are far reaching, so it will remain crucial beyond early grief to continue to support our physical health and wellbeing as we navigate this challenging path. Vanessa May Find out more at wellbeingandnutrition.co.uk Book release July 2021 Vanessa has also written a book due out in July called ‘Love Untethered (How to Live When Your Child Dies)’ by Vanessa May, published by Vulpine Press, July 2021