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Sunday, November 19, 2023

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 12 - November 18, 2023

Best selections from Grief Healing's X feed this week:

Here's why events like a "Ride for Your Life" are so important — and how to keep the spirit going long after World Day of Remembrance is over. ‘World Day of Remembrance’: Connecting Grief to Activism « StreetsBlogUSA

Do we ever move on from grief, or do we just learn to live with it? In Season 2 of All There Is, Anderson Cooper continues his deeply personal journey to understand his own feelings of grief in all its complexities, and in moving and honest discussions, learn from others who’ve experienced life-altering losses. All There Is with Anderson Cooper is about the people we lose, the people left behind, and how we can live on – with loss and with love. All There Is with Anderson Cooper, Season 2 Podcast « CNN Audio

Grief is not linear; it does not come in stages, a common misconception. It's unique to the individual. After embarking on a series to document different grief journeys, we asked for your input. What kinds of grief had you experienced? Would you be willing to share your story publicly? With more than 120 responses and counting, here's a look at what some of you shared. Sharing personal stories of grief « USA Today

I came to New Haven in 2007 for medical school, and I learned quickly not to be the wrong kind of Jew. Not to be the kind that speaks openly of family in Israel, of fond memories of experiences in Israel. I learned to stand with my classmates and colleagues in solidarity with their grief and to expect utter silence in the face of my grief. And now in 2023 in the face of unthinkable brutality against murdered civilians, my brothers and sisters, my grief is stolen, politicized, dressed in caveats and smothered with fear of repercussion from the broader Yale New Haven community. Will my grief out me as the wrong kind of Jew? My grief as a Jew has been stolen « CT Mirror

Grieving the death of a loved one can be extremely difficult for us mentally and emotionally. But new research shows it can also negatively impact our physical health — specifically in heart function and blood pressure. Mary-Frances O’Connor is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona and author of "The Grieving Brain." She worked on this research and joined The Show to talk about it. It turns out, you can die of a broken heart. How grief can impact your physical health « Fronteras

The world has changed. Covid’s rampage forced us to reckon with a relentless, silent sadness. And one echo of #MeToo is that capital-M Masculinity has lost its sheen. In the taxonomy of acceptable emotions, Unalloyed Sorrow is now a category. Rob Delaney’s book about his son, Anderson Cooper’s podcast about his mother, and Marc Maron’s comedy special about his girlfriend—these are beautiful, profound harbingers of a new era. These are the days of grief, and it feels good. The world has changed, and so can we. The Hot New Emotion for Men: Grief! « Esquire

The obvious reason is that the love of our life was ripped away from us. Anger is a normal part of the grieving process, and it is OK, even healthy, to express it. The danger is that it becomes dominant and does not allow us to process other feelings and thoughts important to our healing. These feelings can lead to unresolved grief, depression, anxiety, and even aggravated physical issues. Alcohol and substance abuse can become frequent companions during this period. Why Are Some Widowers So Angry? « Men's Grief Network

On Monday, October 2nd, I lost my dog of 14 years, Blossom. For months my family had been preparing for the day she finally passed, as her wellbeing had deteriorated drastically within the past 2 years. She went from a spunky, playful pup to a watered-down version of that, as most old dogs do. Yet, despite knowing her time was coming, the moment I heard the news her 14 years suddenly felt so short. The dog who had been a huge part of my life from 1st grade to my sophomore year in college was leaving before I was ready to let her go. The Weight of Grief « Her Campus

It turns out I was far from alone in my grief insomnia. Although few studies examine insomnia in bereaved parents1, specifically, a 2008 study exploring the effects of lingering grief in a nationally representative sample of more than 400 bereaved parents in Sweden found that nearly 40 percent of fathers and 33 percent of mothers who lost a child to cancer reported regularly experiencing difficulties falling asleep2 even several years later. I have met hundreds, if not thousands, of bereaved parents in the 10 years since Alice died, and the vast majority have experienced insomnia at some point after the death of their child. Too Sad To Sleep: How To Cope With Insomnia While Grieving a Loss « Well + Good

"During the most sad and bewildering experience I will ever know, you’ve been a guide, providing comfort and heartfelt wisdom that leads me to Mom’s love, my lifelong source of Hope, Meaningfulness, and Purpose. From the start, Mom and I were always a team. In all the good times, as well as through every challenge we faced and overcame, together. The following essay reflects the hope you inspire for resurrecting meaningfulness and purpose in my life. Please feel free to share anything I’ve written." In Grief: A Note of Thanks, and A Message from Mom « Grief Healing

When my son died suddenly six years ago, I had no idea it was possible to experience a connection with him. But in the years that followed, I have indeed had various affirmations that his love is still with me. And I know I am not the only one. My Son Died Unexpectedly. Months Later, I Heard His Voice Say 4 Words That Flooded Me With Peace « Huffington Post

November is National Hospice Month, and this year’s theme is: “Courageous Conversation.”In our culture, we often teach to resist mortality, and our healthcare system often encourages interventionism until there is nothing medically left that might improve the person’s condition. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why having a conversation about dying is one that most of us shy away from, and it can also be a conversation our loved ones do not want to hear, as in hearing it is as though they are accepting our mortality. However, having a conversation about dying can have a profound impact. November is National Hospice, Palliative Care Month « The Andalusia Star News

We mistakenly believe there is a grief hierarchy, with the intensity of loss more legitimate for some events than others. The criteria are usually based on social norms. We don’t question a person’s all-consuming grief over the loss of a life-long partner. But we may find excessively mourning the death of a Golden Retriever questionable and endlessly grieving a broken vase unfathomable. Understanding Grief, It's Not What You Think « Psychology Today

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