HOW LONG DOES GRIEF LAST? AND COPING STRATEGIES THAT WORK

Most people who have experienced grief find themselves wondering how long the pain is going to last. Unfortunately, there isn’t a timeline for healing.  The duration of the grieving process varies from person to person, depending on how they care for themselves. It is important to remember that no matter how long it takes, there is always hope beyond grief.  … Read More

WHY JOIN A GRIEF GROUP? GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP BENEFITS

Everyone will experience loss at some point. The death of a loved one is difficult to process. That is one reason grief groups were invented. Recognizing that a supportive community makes grieving a little easier to navigate.  The Benefits of a Grief Support Group A good grief and loss support group can make all the difference in equipping people to … Read More

WHEN WILL I FIND HOPE? MY GRIEF FEELS OVERWHELMING

The most important thing for a grieving person to know is this: It will get better. In time. The pain will start to ease, and you will feel like you can get back to living again. Whether it’s the pain of daily activities or you are struggling with the hurt of holiday grief, healing will happen. Grief Won’t Always Be in … Read More

WHAT IS GRIEF? UNDERSTANDING GRIEF IN PRACTICAL TERMS

If you look in Webster’s dictionary, grief is defined as a deep sadness, caused especially by someone’s death. Those of us who have suffered through grief know it can feel like a deep ocean. Drowning you in the realization that you will never see a recently passed loved one again in your earthly life.  We want you to know there … Read More

UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF GRIEF: HOW LOSS AFFECTS YOUR BODY

Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one, and we typically expect strong emotions at that point. But there are often a host of physical symptoms of grief that can significantly affect one’s well-being.  Grief can make individuals more susceptible to physical problems like insomnia and chest pain. This highlights how deeply intertwined our emotional and physical … Read More

Grief Is Not Linear: Understanding the Ripple Effect

Grief is not linear. It is entirely possible (and likely) to have a relatively peaceful week, punctuated by waves of grief brought on by hearing a significant song, or a place, scent, conversation, or unexpected memory.  This doesn’t mean you’re going backwards, or doing anything wrong. Grief changes in intensity for many reasons. Just because a strong emotion crashes over you … Read More

HOW LONG WILL THE TEARS OF GRIEF LAST?

In grief, you will find yourself crying emotional tears. The emotions vary from sadness and loneliness to anger and frustration, to name a few.  Losing someone you care about is always hard. And there’s not a specific timeline of how long it’s ‘appropriate’ or ‘normal’ to find yourself crying after the loss.  However, there are a few guidelines or clues … Read More

What Does Grief Feel Like: Symptoms of the Grieving Process

What does grief feel like? Grief can often have a mind of its own and is on its own timeline. It might not look like what you expect. You may feel overwhelming sadness, but also numb, irritable, forgetful, and physically unwell. You might even wonder if something else is wrong with you, or whether grief could really be the cause … Read More

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GRIEVE A SPOUSE?

Dealing with the loss of a spouse is a uniquely complicated process. You bump into their absence at every turn. Unless your spouse traveled a lot for work, it’s impossible to ignore or pretend they aren’t actually gone for good.  But how long does it take to grieve a spouse? To mourn, process, and move on? And is it possible … Read More

 7 Worst Things To Say To Someone Going Through Grief and Loss

Have you ever been the person at a funeral to show support, but you’re worried you’ll say the wrong thing? Maybe you’ve heard that some of the most well-meaning statements can be the worst things to say to someone in grief. And you want to learn how to offer real comfort rather than add to their pain. The good news … Read More