we provide a mind, body, & soul approach to support the grief community.  

Written By:
Marie Brandon, BSN, RN & Certified Grief Educator

Like many of you, I felt as though my heart literally broke into pieces when my son passed away. The pain wasn’t just emotional—it was physical.  I had chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations on and off for months. You’ve likely heard the phrase, “They died from a broken heart.”  While it is rare to die from Broken Heart Syndrome, it is a real condition known as Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Intense grief can cause the heart to temporarily enlarge and weaken, mimicking heart attack symptoms.

Why am I telling you this?  February is Heart Health Month—a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular wellness. Grief and stress can increase heart disease risk by causing elevated blood pressure, inflammation, and artery damage from stress hormones like cortisol. Protecting our hearts means caring for both our physical and emotional health.

So how do we take care of ourselves—mind, body, and soul—when our world has fallen apart?

Mindfulness  

Deep breathing and meditation
After loss, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Our nervous system remains in a heightened state, making even simple tasks exhausting. One technique that helps me when I’m overwhelmed is the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold for seven, and exhale through your mouth for eight. This technique slows the heart rate and reduces cortisol levels, creating a moment of calm.  Bonus, it gives me 20 seconds to filter my thoughts before speaking!

Journaling
Writing about your emotions can help process grief and relieve stress. I had never kept a journal before my son passed. Now, I often feel overwhelmed by emotions and memories, searching for a way to process them. My solution? Voice-dictating my thoughts into my phone’s notes app. It’s quick and convenient.  Whether it’s a dream, a sign that reminds me of him, or my feelings in the moment, expressing them is a release. Writing doesn’t have to be structured, just let your feelings flow.

Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can be challenging after a loss. How do we remain grateful when we’ve lost so much?  After loss, people have said, “At least you had time with him” or “At least you have other children.”  While well-intended, these comments can feel dismissive. Gratitude doesn’t minimize grief; it helps us find small moments of light. Start with naming one thing you’re grateful for every morning or listing a few before bed.

Body Association

Eating Heart-Healthy Meals: You’ve heard, “We are what we eat.” Food is our body’s fuel, and our diet profoundly affects heart health. Grief can take a toll on your appetite. In the weeks following my loss, I barely ate. When my appetite returned, I reached for processed, easy-to-grab foods instead of nutrient-rich options. Choosing heart-healthy options like salmon, nuts, avocados, leafy greens, and whole grains can reduce inflammation and regulate stress hormones.  It’s easier said than done, but small changes can have a big impact.

Physical Activity
Now hear me out. I’m not saying to go run a half marathon—unless that’s your thing. Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re grieving. Some days, just getting out of bed feels like an accomplishment. But movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Walking, stretching, or light yoga can ease stress, release endorphins, and help your body process emotions. One outlet that has helped me is Gloves for Grief—a supportive space where movement and community come together. After each session, I feel lighter, less angry, and more connected. Find what works for you—whether it’s a slow stroll, dancing in your kitchen, or hitting a punching bag.

Connection for the Soul

Seek Support
Grief can be isolating. While friends and family may mean well, they may not always understand the depth of our loss. Therapy, grief support groups, or online communities can provide a safe space to share without judgment. You don’t have to do this alone.

Practice Self-Compassion
Give yourself permission to grieve without guilt. Cry when you need to, laugh when you can. We live in a grief-apologetic and grief- illiterate society. Showing emotion is often followed by the griever apologizing because society is uncomfortable and unsure how to handle your grief. I encourage you to find a person or a community like Gloves for Grief that will allow you to grieve without apologies.

Volunteer
Helping others can foster a sense of purpose and support emotional healing.  I never expected volunteering to be part of my healing journey, but becoming a One Legacy Ambassador and a Gloves for Grief board member has given my pain purpose. Sharing my son’s story and helping others through their grief have been deeply healing. If you’re struggling, consider honoring your loved one’s memory through service, creative expression, or simply sharing their story.

Moving Forward

Our community’s safety is our priority.  In honor of Heart Health Month, all Gloves for Grief board members are now CPR-certified, thanks to SureFire CPR. We have also obtained an AED for our wellness events, ensuring we’re prepared to care for both your emotional and physical hearts. You too can be prepared for the unexpected by becoming CPR certified at SureFire CPR.

Taking intentional steps to nurture both our emotional and physical heart health is crucial, especially in grief. This February let’s commit to caring for ourselves—mind, body, and soul.

Join us at our 2-year anniversary wellness event on February 22, 2025, to experience the power of community, movement, and healing. Find registration details for this event and all future events at glovesforgrief.org.

Support Gloves for Grief at the 2025 OC Marathon

Grief is more than an emotional experience; it affects the mind and body in profound ways. Here at Gloves for Grief, we utilize the power of movement to help individuals navigate loss, build resilience, and transform pain into purpose.

Running Towards Purpose

Recognizing that movement is a universal tool for healing, Gloves for Grief is expanding beyond the ring and onto the pavement. Running, much like the grief journey, is about perseverance. Some days are slow, others exhausting—but every step forward is a victory. Whether training for a marathon, half marathon, or 5K, participants are invited to join the Gloves For Grief Running Team at the 2025 OC Marathon, running in honor of their loved ones.

A Community of Healing

Gloves For Grief is more than an organization—it is a movement and a community. Through boxing, running, and shared experiences, participants find a space where they are seen, heard, and supported.

Make Every Step Count

By joining the Gloves for Grief Running Team, participants can fundraise to support grief healing resources, ensuring that others receive the support they need. Runners even have the opportunity to earn back their registration fee—all while running with purpose and making a meaningful impact. Learn more about this under the  “Runner Rebate Program” section below.

**GLOVES FOR GRIEF WILL BE WALKING AS A GROUP AT THE 5K ON SATURDAY, 5/3/2025
CELEBRATE OC 5K – 5:30PM – 6:30PM

Register as an Individual or Corporate Team!
During Registration Click:
-Join a Team and Club
-Scroll down until you find the Charity Team
-Select Gloves for Grief

Lace up. Honor. Heal.

#RunForHealing #GlovesForGrief

DONATE TO THE GLOVES FOR GRIEF MARATHON FUNDRAISING PAGE

Runner Rebate Program

To make your contribution to Gloves for Grief even more impactful, the OC Marathon is pleased to offer the Runner Rebate Program. Runners who commit to fundraising for us can receive a full refund of their registration fee by meeting the fundraising goals! Here’s how it works:

• For the 5K, raise $150 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
• For the half marathon, raise $350 and get a 100% refund of your registration fees.
• For the full marathon, raise $500 and you’ll receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
• For the 5K/Half Combo Crush, raise $650 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
• For the 5K/Full Combo Crush, raise $750 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.

By reaching these fundraising goals, you’ll get to run for free, while also making a meaningful impact on those who are navigating difficult times through Gloves for Grief’s work.

Be part of something special by supporting us and our mission to create healing experiences for those who are grieving. Register today and be a part of this empowering cause.

To donate or fundraise for Gloves for Grief, please click here

Gloves For Grief is excited to announce our 2025 Kickoff, and next event in partnership with Fort Fitness. On February 22nd, we offer an afternoon in a one of a kind facility to “Punch your Pain into Purpose” as we celebrate two years since our first ever G4G event.

This will be an action-packed experience with shadow boxing and bag work followed by a time of cooling down.

Those who attend will enjoy music, connection, and community. Whether you are a seasoned boxer, a casual athlete, or entirely new to fitness, we invite you to come as you are.

Remember, you are not alone in your grief. We hear you, we see you, we are walking down this difficult road beside you. There is power in prayer. There is power in community. You do not get over your grief. You grow around it.

Let’s come together and punch our pain into purpose!

Register Here

It’s been FIVE years since their last alarm. Join us to pay tribute to our brave heroes as we remember their extraordinary sacrifice.

Private Event: Remembering Our Heroes
**For Private Event Inquiries, please reach out to Angel@glovesforgrief.org

Join us for a heartfelt celebration of life as we honor and remember Patrick Jones, Ray Figueroa, and all fallen firefighters at Main Athletics in Porterville, CA. We invite you to come together and pay tribute to these brave men and their families.

This in-person event will be a special opportunity to express our gratitude and show support for their families, the Porterville fire department, and Cal Fire community.

Gloves For Grief, an Orange County 501C3 nonprofit is traveling 200 miles with their tribute boxing bags to create a one of grief boxing class. Their goal is to help you punch your pain into purpose, and provide a mind, body, and soul healing Experience.

Let’s gather to celebrate their courage and commemorate FIVE years since their selfless sacrifice.

Mark your calendars and be part of this meaningful event! Let’s punch for Patrick and Ray!

REGISTER HERE