Monthly Archives: January 2025

Can You Have a Delayed Reaction to Grief?

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Grief typically unfolds through five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While it begins with denial and ends with acceptance, the journey is rarely linear. According to San Francisco therapist Dr. Avigail Lev, individuals often move back and forth between stages—shifting from anger to bargaining, returning to depression, and so on. These stages provide a framework for processing loss, confronting emotions, and moving toward healing. However, in delayed grief, denial persists, leaving unresolved feelings that can complicate the path to recovery.

“In delayed grieving, the denial stage lasts longer, meaning the person remains in denial for a more extended period.” — Dr. Avigail Lev

Signs and Symptoms of Delayed Grief

Delayed grief varies from person to person, with symptoms that can manifest both emotionally and physically. Signs of delayed grief on an emotional level include:

  • A sense of numbness or detachment
  • Intense emotional reactions in response to things that remind you of the loss
  • Feelings of persistent sadness
  • Intrusive thoughts or memories about your loved one
  • Problem enjoying things that used to bring you pleasure
  • Changes in how you feel about yourself, your purpose, or your identity
  • Feelings of guilt or regret

Physical symptoms of delayed grief can include:

  • Changes in sleep, appetite, or body weight
  • Feeling tired or unmotivated
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, frequent illness, and digestive issues

Self-Care Practices to Support the Grieving Process

If you’re dealing with delayed grief, there are strategies to help you reconnect with your emotions and process them more deeply. Consider trying the following techniques:

  • Journaling: Expressive writing can be a therapeutic way to work through the difficult emotions you are feeling. Consider writing a letter to your loved one or write down your favorite memories of that person.
  • Mindfulness practices: Mindfulness is all about centering your attention on the here and now. It can be a way to connect with what you are feeling and what these feelings mean. Research suggests it can help bereaved people improve emotional regulation and executive function.
  • Stick to a routine: Keeping a regular routine is important when you are dealing with stressful experiences. It can help you maintain a sense of consistency and normalcy, which may help you feel more in control even when things seem hectic or tumultuous.
  • Learn about grief: Spend some time learning about what the normal grieving process looks like, including the stages of grief that people typically experience. It can be comforting to know that what you are experiencing is normal and expected.
  • Honor your loved one: Find meaningful ways to honor the memory of the person you have lost. For example, you might create a memorial or participate in rituals to honor their life.

Healing from grief, especially delayed grief, takes time and patience, but it’s important to know that support and effective treatment options are available. Strategies like grief counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and expressive arts therapy can help you process your emotions, reconnect with your feelings, and navigate your journey toward acceptance. Whether through talking, mindfulness, creative expression, or structured therapeutic approaches, these options provide valuable tools to address your grief and move forward with greater clarity and resilience.

Reference: https://www.verywellmind.com/can-you-have-a-delayed-reaction-to-grief-8425426

What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?

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Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and remains the leading preventable cause of premature death in the United States, contributing to an estimated 480,000 deaths annually. Smokers aged 60 and older face a twofold increase in mortality compared to nonsmokers, dying approximately six years earlier. While nicotine itself is not carcinogenic, tobacco smoke contains at least 69 cancer-causing chemicals, making smoking responsible for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. Overall cancer death rates are twice as high among smokers as nonsmokers, with heavy smokers having a fourfold greater risk. Quitting smoking yields immediate health benefits, and depending on the age of cessation, some or all of the reduced life expectancy can be regained.

Key Factors:

  1. Cancer Risks:
    • Lung cancer: Smoking is linked to 80–90% of cases and 80% of deaths.
    • Other cancers: Mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, bladder, acute myeloid leukemia.
    • Smokeless tobacco: Associated with cancers of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, lung, and colorectal cancer.
  2. Lung Diseases:
    • Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
    • Worsened asthma symptoms in adults and children.
    • Leading risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is irreversible once developed.
  3. Heart Disease:
    • Increases risk of stroke, heart attack, vascular disease, and aneurysm.
    • Responsible for 40% of smoking-related deaths.
    • Causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.
  4. Other Health Conditions:
    • Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, impaired immune function.
    • Reduced health-related quality of life in young smokers aged 26–41.
    • Potential link to Type 2 Diabetes through pathways between the pancreas and brain.
  5. Benefits of Quitting:
    • Lung damage repair over time (except in COPD).
    • Improved overall health and reduced risk of smoking-related diseases.



The devastating impact of smoking on nearly every aspect of health—causing cancers, lung diseases, heart conditions, and a host of other ailments—underscores the urgent need to quit. While the damage caused by smoking is significant, the good news is that quitting can lead to remarkable health benefits, including the repair of lung damage, improved quality of life, and a lower risk of life-threatening diseases. Whether you’re a long-term smoker or have recently started, it’s never too late to take the first step toward a healthier future. Seek support from loved ones, healthcare professionals, or smoking cessation programs to embark on this life-changing journey. Quitting smoking not only adds years to your life but also greatly improves the quality of those years—an investment in your well-being and the peace of mind of those who care about you.

**By prioritizing the health and safety of its young residents, Minnesota is investing in a brighter, healthier future for all.**

Reference: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/what-are-physical-health-consequences-tobacco-use

10 Sneaky Signs Stress Is Showing Up in Your Body

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You’re probably familiar with the word stress, but you might not have heard of overstress. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines stress as the physical and emotional reactions to challenges or stressors. This can manifest as physical symptoms like a racing heart or emotional responses like irritability (more on that shortly). Stress is an unavoidable part of life—it’s simply part of being human. The real issue arises when stress crosses the line into overstress. Though less commonly discussed, overstress is essentially chronic stress. The APA describes chronic stress as the ongoing physical and emotional toll caused by prolonged exposure to stressful situations.

” Stress v. Overstress

Think of it like this: cramming for finals is stressful. But it only happens a couple of times a year. However, working a high-pressure job with constant quick and intense deadlines can lead to chronic stress. You’re having prolonged exposure to stressful events, which can leave you feeling overstressed.” – Verywell Mind

What Causes Overstress?

Stressful Circumstances

  • Chronic illness
  • Job loss
  • Spousal conflict
  • Mental health challenges
  • Family difficulties

Uncertainty and Unpredictability

  • Adding layers of stress to everyday challenges.

Sustained Stress

  • Persistently pushing through stressful events or situations over an extended period.

Understanding the factors that lead to overstress can help you recognize when your stress levels are becoming unmanageable. If you’re navigating ongoing challenges like health issues, relationship conflicts, or prolonged uncertainty, it’s important to acknowledge the toll they may take. Remember, you don’t have to face it alone—seeking support from a therapist, counselor, or trusted professional can make a world of difference. Taking steps to address your well-being is not a sign of weakness but an act of strength and self-care.

Reference: https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-of-overstress-8738715