3 Ways to Use Mindfulness During Your Grief

3 Ways to Use Mindfulness During Your Grief

by Stephanie Pritchard, LPC, NCC Mindfulness has become a hot topic in recent years even though it’s been practiced for centuries. It’s a tool that can be used to address a variety of challenges that people face, such as anxiety, depression, overeating, problems in relationships, chronic pain and grief. Fundamentally, mindfulness is more than having a general awareness of what’s happening...

5 Ways to Support a Grieving Person

5 Ways to Support a Grieving Person

by Heather Larson, LSW, CT Knowing how to help a grieving friend or family member who has experienced loss through death can be challenging, but there are some things you can do to support someone going through this difficult time. The following are five practical ways to support a grieving person in your life. Be Present First things first, show up. I...

Balancing Holiday Traditions After the Death of a Loved One

by Janna Benson Kontz, MDiv Holidays and grief form an interesting tension for each of us after the death of a loved one. We feel the tension between wanting to celebrate and never wanting to celebrate again. We feel the tension between wanting to be happy and feeling guilty for being happy. We feel the tension between traditions that included...

How to Handle Grief When Approaching Milestones and Anniversaries

Heather Larson, LSW, CT Grieving is some of the hardest work we will ever do. I have discussed this idea countless times with those who are deeply grieving the death of a loved one. The moment when one reaches his/her lowest point while grieving is different for everyone. What is likely not so different is that our grief intensifies at...

5 Ways to Handle Things Left Unsaid

by Rebecca Anderson, RN As a hospice nurse who has experienced parental loss, I draw on my personal experiences with the grief and loss of both my parents to offer guidance to the families I serve at Hospice of the Red River Valley. [caption id="attachment_3691" align="alignright" width="300"] Rebecca and her mom Terry[/caption] Just as each life is unique, so was the loss...