Have you or someone you know experienced the loss of a spouse, parent, or child in the past year or so? Despite the perception that grief should be a brief period of sadness after a loss, it rarely is. It isn’t as simple as grieving at a funeral or taking some bereavement days off work. It’s more than just an emotional response to losing someone; it’s a process that affects us physically, psychologically, behaviorally, spiritually, socially, and culturally. How each of us reacts and mourns is unique, but there are some common physical manifestations that we all experience with loss.
Sleep problems are a common symptom of grief, which can keep you from getting the regular sleep that your mind and body need. You might have problems falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or sleeping too much. If this is something you are experiencing, try winding down slowly before bed: take a bath or shower, read a book, do breathing exercises, pray, meditate, and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
The immune system is also affected by grief. Grief takes a toll on the body’s ability to fight illness and infection, especially if it goes on for a long time. Inflammation occurs when your immune system responds to something it perceives as a threat and causes tissues in your body to swell. It can play a role in heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, and possibly cancer. Studies show that the more severe the grief, the more serious the inflammation. To fight this, try to maintain a healthy diet, get rest, and exercise. If you feel you are having a hard time coping with your loss, talk with your healthcare provider about options.
Grieving also causes cortisol, sometimes called the stress hormone, to be released at higher levels than usual into your bloodstream. This is especially true during the first six months. High levels of cortisol over a long period of time can raise your chances of heart disease or high blood pressure.
Experiencing a loss can make you feel like you do not have control over your life. You might be concerned about your financial future, being alone, or losing someone else. Sometimes, you might need to do things you never had to do before. Although some worry after a loss is normal, if it lasts more than a few months or interferes with work or home life, it may be time to talk to a professional.
The emotional toll of grief may leave you feeling fatigued and drained, but it is crucial to stay connected to family and friends. Being with others may be difficult, but doing so will give you a sense of connection. If you feel uncomfortable talking with family or friends about your loss, or you just need to be with others going through the same situation, consider joining the grief support group at St. Therese of Lisieux. Whether your loss is recent or not so recent, being in a safe environment and being able to verbalize your thoughts and concerns will help. You might also develop new, supportive friendships. Our next session runs from April 21 through June 16 on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 PM in Overflow 10. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse, at 586-254-4433 Ext. #320 or Marilync@stol.church.
St. Isidore Church also offers grief support meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6:30 PM in the Executive Conference Room. If you have questions, you can reach out to Heather Herbst, the St. Isidore Parish Nurse, at 586-286-1700 or Heather@stisidore.church.
