Gentle Tools for Stress and Grief
By Brooke Rambold, Pathways Manager of Psychosocial Services
There are moments when thoughts feel busy, emotions feel close to the surface, and your body has a hard time settling. You might feel restless, overwhelmed, or stuck in a loop of thinking and feeling that’s difficult to shift. Sometimes, the most helpful place to start is with the body.
Bilateral stimulation is a gentle, therapeutic approach that uses alternating left-right movement or sensation to help the brain and body process and settle. It’s often used in trauma-informed care, but it can be just as supportive in moments of stress, grief, or emotional intensity.
You may already do this without realizing it - tapping your foot, swaying back and forth, or taking a walk. These natural, rhythmic movements can help create a sense of flow and regulation when things feel overwhelming.
Bilateral stimulation can be simple and accessible. You might slowly tap one hand and then the other on your legs, alternating back and forth. You could take a quiet walk, noticing the rhythm of your steps. Some people find comfort in gently squeezing one hand and then the other or listening to music that alternates sound from one side to the other.
This back-and-forth rhythm helps engage both sides of the brain and can support emotional processing without requiring you to find the right words. It can soften intensity, improve focus, and create a sense of grounding in the present moment.
There’s no “right” way to do it. The goal isn’t to force anything to change, but to offer your body a steady, predictable rhythm that it can follow. Even a minute or two can make a difference.
Bilateral stimulation can also be paired with other supportive practices - like slow breathing, sitting with someone you trust, or taking a quiet pause during an emotional day.
In hospice care, where so much can feel uncertain or heavy, simple tools like this can offer moments of steadiness. They don’t take away the experience, but they can help you move through it with a bit more ease.
Our team is here to help introduce and guide these kinds of skills, offering support that meets you where you are. If you’re looking for ways to feel more grounded, more present, or simply more supported, we are here to walk alongside you.
Sometimes, a gentle rhythm is enough to help things feel just a little more manageable.
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