The VNA Senior Speaker Series continues next Thursday, September 14th with a presentation called: “Taking Care of YOU: Suggestions on Self Care during times of Sadness, Loss and Grief.”
Jayne Gundrum, Hospice Bereavement Counselor for the VNA, is the guest speaker. Gundrum says she will talk about the physical symptoms of grief as well as the emotional reactions to loss.
She will also discuss mental/behavioral reactions to grief and discuss suggestions for self-care.
Physically speaking, Gundrum says many people who are grieving live in the “land of too’s.”
"People eat too much or eat too little, sleep too much or sleep too little, do too much or do too little. So we are going to talk about those aspects and maybe how you can find a better balance in your life. On an emotional level, I like to describe the emotional reactions people have to a loss is looking like a big emotional roller coaster. There are lots of ups and downs, twists and turns. And there’s no right or wrong way to feel and so we have to learn how to name them and claim them."
On a behavioral level, Gundrum says when people are grieving they may have trouble concentrating, making decisions or being around other people. Her talk will address ways to deal with these issues.
The VNA Senior Speaker Series continues next Thursday, September 14th at 11:30. To register for the event, the website is vnatoday.org.