HealthyLife Articles

Tag: grief

Dealing With Grief During The Holidays

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Many people think they are supposed to be happy during the holidays. You may even feel guilty if you’re not “choosing joy.” But these high expectations can cause even more stress during an already stressful season.

What is grief?

Grief is a normal human response. It can happen anytime, especially during the holidays. When you lose someone or something that’s important to you, you can experience grief.

Grief is different for everyone. It can cause sadness, anger, fear, guilt and many other emotions. You may also have physical signs like:

* Headaches

* Upset stomach

* Sleep changes

* Feeling like you can’t breathe

* Appetite changes

What to do

When you experience a loss, you need to feel grief in your own way. You can do this by:

* Allowing yourself to feel whatever you feel.

* Taking care of yourself. Try to get regular sleep and eat healthy foods. Exercise can help you relieve stress too.

* Talking to others. A trusted friend or family member can help you get your feelings out.

* Writing it down. If you don’t want to talk to someone, try writing down your feelings and thoughts.

* Avoid big decisions. Try to wait a year after a loss before you decide to move, change jobs or make other big life changes.

If you feel grief this holiday season, ask for help. A counselor, therapist or support group may help you feel better. If these things don’t help, talk to your doctor.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Good Grief

Mental Health

Going through stages of loss is normal.

Grief is a deep sadness that results from a major or minor loss. It can last weeks, months, or years. Understanding the normal stages of grief, the passage of time, and self-care measures treat most cases of grief. Sometimes, counseling is needed.

Stages of grief

Shock: You feel dazed and numb.

Denial and searching:

You are in a state of disbelief. You ask, “Why did this happen?” or “Why didn’t I prevent this?” You look for ways to keep your loved one or the loss with you. You think you see or hear the deceased person. You begin to feel that the loss is real.

Suffering and disorganization:

You feel guilty, anxious, depressed, lonely, and afraid. You may place blame on everything and everyone. You may have headaches, constant fatigue, and/or shortness of breath. You withdraw from routine and social contacts.

Recovery and acceptance:

You start seeing a future instead of dwelling on the past. You adjust to the reality of the loss. You develop new relationships and a positive attitude.

Self-care:

* Eat regular meals. Do regular exercise.

* Express your emotions to family and friends. Be with others, especially during the holidays.

* Try not to make major life changes, such as moving during the first year of grieving.

* Join a bereavement support group. Read self-help books about dealing with grief and death.

* Adopt a pet.

Causes of grief:

* The death of a family member or friend

* A divorce or sending a child off to college

* A new or lost job. A promotion, demotion, or retirement.

* An illness, injury, or disability

* Moving to a new location or loss of property

Action Step

If grief keeps you from coping on a daily basis, triggers thoughts of suicide, or causes you to overuse medication or alcohol, seek professional help.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Coping With The Loss Of A Spouse

FAMILY LIFE

Losing a husband or wife is devastating. A whirlwind of intense emotions-overwhelming sadness as well as shock, fear, guilt, anger, and numbness-make the days and weeks after a spouse’s death agonizing and confusing.

It may be small comfort to know that these feelings are normal and will be temporary.

“Sadness may never go away entirely,” said clinical psychologist Dr. Hayley Hirschmann of Morris Psychological Group, “but the pain of acute grief becomes less intense over time as the good days start to outnumber the bad.”

Dr. Hirschmann offers this advice:

*Accentuate the positive:Studies have shown that those who are able to draw on humor and pleasurable memories are happier and healthier than those whose thoughts of the deceased are mostly sad and focused on their loss.

*Let others help:Don’t shy away from expressing your feelings to those close to you; you will feel less alone if you can share your grief with a sympathetic listener. Accept help with chores and legal and financial responsibilities. Consider joining a bereavement support group.

*Take care of yourself:Eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep. Be alert to falling into bad habits.

*Don’t make big changes right away:Wait a while before moving or changing jobs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Telling Kids About Tragedy

FAMILY LIFE

Talking to kids about scary events and disasters is important when they’re old enough to understand. Kids may have more fear of an event if they don’t know any details. They may imagine something much worse than what happened.

Although telling kids some details may help, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s important that you filter the information you give your child. Think about the child’s age, personality and what they will be able to cope with. These steps can get the conversation started:

*Ask the child what they know about the event.This can help you separate facts from fiction. It gives you a way to explain the things they already know in a way that is direct but not scary.

*Avoid any graphic details.Although the media may share lots of details that are graphic and scary, children should be shielded from these things.

*Don’t be too vague.Saying “something happened that was bad” doesn’t give enough information. Instead, name the place where it happened and tell them that some people were hurt. The police/firemen/ government, etc. are helping people and working to keep us safe.

*Keep it open ended.Tell them if they have any questions, they can ask you.

Is your child coping?

After a disaster, some children have a hard time coping. These red flags may be a sign that your child needs help:

* Trouble sleeping, nightmares or being very tired all the time

* Unusual aches and pains, such as headache or feeling “sick” often

* Appetite changes

* Social changes, such as aggression or being clingy

* Frequent feelings of sadness or fear

Talk to your child’s doctor if you notice any of these changes.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026