The onset of the pandemic shifted the world’s entire view in a 360-degree turn. Our normal way of living has been challenged and strategically re-arranged to fit the virus’ demands. One of the greatest devastations of the pandemic is the lives it claimed and the anxiety it brought not only to the people but to the psychological, emotional, economic and political aspects of the world.
In this regard, emotions of grief, loneliness and isolation is prevalent among the people. Because this new normal is shifting our ways of acknowledging emotions and dealing with pain, we’ll look into a more isolated solution for addressing grief.
This article will discuss on how indulging yourself in the arts can help with emotions of grief.
A Look into the Grieving Brain
When a person is grieving, several brain parts such as frontal cortex, amygdala, and cerebellum are activated. These brain parts are responsible for emotional processing, cognition and memory.
One’s sadness intensity is linked to the activity in the amygdala. If there is a strong connection between the amygdala and frontal cortex, the person will have a better chances of managing his emotions.
If, however, the connection is weak, the effect can vary from deteriorating mood to complicated grief. What’s more, such complexity, can interfere to the person’s adaptation of a deceased’s loss and lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Arts as Saving Grace for the Grieving
Grief is unique for every person. As such, there is no standard way of addressing it. But, one of the lessons you can take from each experience is that you will evolve and adapt to the changes.
While every person can address grief in a unique manner, there are healthier avenues such as arts and creativity that will alleviate (to a certain degree) the pain of loss. Let’s look at the following examples.
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Keeping a Grief Journal
One way of acknowledging your emotions is by writing about them. To better reflect on your emotions, writing about them is the best way to let it resurface.
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Making a Sculpted Memory
Do you have a knack for a DIY arts and crafts? If you do, then linking your physical actions to creativity is the best way to release your emotions. Using a clay-do, you can sculpt the best memory you can think of that will immortalize your love for the deceased.
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Doodle, Scribble or Draw
If nothing else works, let your brain guide your hands and do its magic. Whether it’s some patterns of line, shapes, or sceneries, you have to let the emotions flow.
As written by Rachel Naomi Remen (a noted author and holistic healer), “At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source.”
