One of the Grief Care groups at Angela Hospice is going on the road, well, on the sidewalk.
Beginning June 2 – and running every Friday through Sept. 29 – the Walking Together Grief Group will take place on the picturesque grounds at Angela Hospice, bringing together members of the Angela Hospice Grief Care team with those of any age who are grieving the loss of a loved one. All community members are welcome.
“The whole point is to be able to just be in a space with other like-minded people who are going through the same thing, and moving through your grief,” said Debbie Vallandingham, Angela Hospice Director of Grief Care Services.
All who come to the grief group will be able to walk at their own pace – whether that be by powerwalking or taking more of a stroll – and will be joined by members from the Angela Hospice Grief Care team, who will rotate each week.
The most important part will be that they’re moving.
“Any type of movement, they’ve been doing research on this for decades, is one of the best things that you can do to help move forward in your grief,” Debbie said. “And what a better spot than here to implement something like that?”
This will be the first time the Angela Hospice Grief Care team does anything of this nature, and with the weather finally feeling like spring, it seems like the perfect time.
Each week the group will begin with meditation under the Angela Hospice portico, and the walk will be followed by a discussion, allowing participants the option to share how they felt on the walk, what thoughts came up, and what was the walking experience like for them.
The ultimate goal is to really promote that mind and body connection in healing, something the grief counselors at Angela Hospice often tell those they work with.
“It’s so easy when we’re grieving just to get literally stuck in a rut,” Debbie said. “Something as simple as making a commitment to a weekly walking group, something that gets you moving and out… you’re going to get the sunshine, the fresh air, and actual companionship and support. So it’s a win-win on every single aspect that we teach.”
Walks will be dependent on the weather, and will meet under the Angela Hospice portico on Fridays at 10 a.m. beginning on June 2 through Sept. 29.
