On Collective Grief: Caring for Our Emotions in the Wake of the U.S. Election
Collective grief is a term used to describe the reaction of a group of people who undergo a significant loss or extreme change together. This can include experiencing any tragedy that affects a community or nation. We can feel this type of grief following a natural disaster, an act of mass violence, a hate crime, a pandemic, an act of war, or any event that threatens the safety and stability of our community.
Grief is a natural response to all kinds of loss - changing relationships, losing a job, moving to a new city, experiencing decreased physical or mental functioning, confronting our own mortality, or becoming disillusioned about the state of the world. We can also grieve the loss of a vision or expectation for the future.
Holding Sacred Space: What to Do When Someone Comes Out to You
You might already be aware that LGBTQIA+ Pride is celebrated in June, with festivals, parades, memorials, and marches held all over the world throughout the month. You might be wondering how you can best support LGBTQIA+ people, not just in June but all the time? While there are many ways to be a supporter and an ally, one of the most important is to be prepared to respond compassionately to someone who comes out to you. Here are a few keys to remember when you enter this sacred conversation.
Advance Care Planning: Know Your Options
During a period of critical illness many patients are unable to speak for themselves, and their next-of-kin is often called upon to help make decisions about the best care for them. In such cases, patient’s families often find it helpful when a patient has made an advance directive detailing what kind of treatment they would want if they were unlikely to recover certain levels of mental or physical functioning. You can take steps today to start (or continue!) this important conversation.
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! And other stuff sick people wish they could say.
When a person in your life is going through a hard time such as an illness, divorce, or bereavement and your question is “how can I not say the wrong thing to them?” Dr. Susan Silk’s Ring Theory provides a simple answer: comfort in, dump out.
Two Simple Steps for Better Communication
The need to be heard and understood is one most of us share. Yet we may often feel misunderstood by our partners, parents, children, friends, or colleagues. Moreover, it’s likely that some of those important people in our lives don’t always feel heard and understood by us. When we misunderstand one another, we often end up feeling frustrated and hurt.
Forest Bathing: How to Reduce Stress with or without a Forest
We’re likely all aware of the health benefits of physical activity. However, did you know that just spending time in nature - with or without movement - has significant health benefits? There is even a term for mindful time spent under the trees - “forest bathing.”