Working while grieving can evoke difficult and tender emotions. Some people find that the structure and predictability of their jobs offer a welcome distraction during a tumultuous time. Others feel completely distracted, apathetic, and unable to complete the tasks at hand. No matter how much time you take off, returning to work can still be daunting, and grief doesn't ever...[ read more ]
Emotional safety in friendships can be defined as a felt sense of being respected and treated compassionately in a relationship. When we feel emotionally safe with another person, we generally feel free to be who we are. Even if conflict arises, there's a sense of confidence that you can come together to resolve the issue. With that, emotional safety inherently...[ read more ]
Passion is rarely a fixed state, and feeling passionate about something can wax and wane throughout life. However, staying connected to your passions can maintain your emotional well-being, improve your relationships, and give you a deeper sense of purpose. This can be especially important if you're navigating difficult life circumstances. Passion acts as an anchor, as something to hold onto,...[ read more ]
The experience of grief can be an intensely emotional whirlwind full of heightened emotions, grappling thoughts, and unexpected needs. Nobody can truly understand the full underpinnings of grief until they experience it first-hand. And with that, every type of grief stands as its own unique experience. Although loss can feel devastating and overwhelming, it can also pave a path for...[ read more ]
The grieving process often comes with many different emotions, ranging from sadness to anger to guilt to apathy. These emotions ebb and flow with their intensity, and some days will certainly feel more difficult than others. With that, many people find that getting involved with volunteer opportunities provides a sense of support and purpose during grief. While nothing can truly...[ read more ]
There is no shortcut, hack, or trick that can help expedite the intensity of complicated grief. The time after a loss can be tender, and it's often full of unexpected thoughts and emotions. Grief doesn't run on a specific timeline, and it's sometimes normal to wonder if you'll ever feel better again. The truth is that grief often pulls everything...[ read more ]
Sometimes people think they're experiencing a midlife crisis when they're actually having a depressive episode. Similarly, people may believe they're clinically depressed when they're having a normal reaction to the stressors that often come with being middle-aged. It's also possible for depression and midlife crises to overlap, and symptoms of one experience can exacerbate symptoms of another. Understanding Common Midlife...[ read more ]
It's estimated that over 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences chronic pain. Those in the workforce often need to manage their daily job tasks while also navigating discomfort, doctor's appointments, fatigue, and medication side effects. While coping with chronic pain isn't easy, some strategies can provide you with relief and support you at work. Managing Chronic Pain at Work People...[ read more ]
It's estimated that about 5% of Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD symptoms exist on a spectrum, but like major depression, they can include persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, concentration problems, fatigue, weight loss or weight gain, changes in sleep patterns, and a lack of motivation. With that said, it's important to note that grief reactions can heighten depression,...[ read more ]
We receive so many messages about how we're supposed to talk about and process grief. On the one hand, there's often a societal expectation to acknowledge grief, stay strong, and resume back to normal life quickly. On the other hand, there's more discussion about the benefits of really processing emotions and being present with the tsunami of feelings that grief...[ read more ]