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Grief Wave

Waves over months to years◑ Medium Term scale

The cyclical nature of grief, where intense feelings come in waves of varying intensity.

Priority

high

Persistence

persistent

Interruptibility

resistant

Reactivation

easy

Temporal Evolution

Trigger

Moments

Something activates the grief - a memory, reminder, or date

Indicators

Sudden emotional shiftPhysical pangIntrusive memory

Interventions

Allow the waveSelf-compassion

Rising

Minutes to hours

Emotion intensifies, may feel overwhelming

Indicators

TearsPhysical painDifficulty functioning

Interventions

Safe spaceSupport personAllow expression

Peak

Minutes

Highest intensity of the grief experience

Indicators

Intense cryingPhysical collapseAcute pain

Interventions

Ride the wavePhysical comfortPresence

Subsiding

Hours

Gradual decrease in intensity

Indicators

ExhaustionEmotional releaseSpaciousness

Interventions

RestGentle activityNourishment

Integration

Ongoing

Processing and making meaning

Indicators

ReflectionConnection to meaningGradual acceptance

Interventions

TherapyRitualCommunity

Physiological Effects Over Time

Immediate

• Heart ache
• Tears
• Sighing

Short Term

• Fatigue
• Sleep disruption
• Appetite changes

Long Term

• Immune effects
• Health impacts if complicated

Intervention Windows

As wave rises

Creating a safe container for the experience

high effectiveness

Safe spaceSupport personSelf-compassion

After wave passes

Processing and integration

high effectiveness

JournalingTherapyRitual

Resolution Pattern

Integrates over time rather than fully resolving

Related Resources

Associated Emotions

Emotions commonly associated with this temporal state

Grief

Sadness

Longing

Body Language Cues

Nonverbal signals that may appear during this state

Voice Tremor/Quaver