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Below is a list of some trustworthy websites, podcasts, and YouTube Channels: www.whatsyourgrief.com This website was created by two grief professionals and authors of the book " What's Your Grief ." It offers materials and resources that cover a range of topics related to grief and loss. They also have a YouTube channel with videos and a podcast that can be found at @whatsyourgrief. You can sign up to have their newsletter delivered to your email inbox. www.refugeingrief.com Megan Devine wrote the book " It's OK That You're Not OK ." Megan's husband died tragically, and she writes about the raw, messy side of grief; as well as the beauty and joy that can exist alongside that. On her website, you will find articles and videos about coping in grief. You can also sign up for her newsletter or listen to her podcast. www.katebowler.com Kate Bowler is a Duke University professor, author, and podcaster that challenges toxic positivity and offers resources for navigating life's difficulties. Her website provides a community-focused platform with podcasts, articles, and support guides to help people navigate hard times, especially grief. Other good websites: www.grief.com www.hospicefoundation.org   We're here to support you - We listen . We support . We care . - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar

By: Sarah Little, MA, Grief Counselor In times of loss, many people turn to the internet for information, community, and support. While platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and other outlets can offer valuable grief support, it is important to be cautious about the content you view and the people you interact with online. Be Mindful of Misinformation Not all advice on grief is trustworthy. Some videos or posts may offer harmful, misleading, or overly commercialized content. Look for resources from sources such as hospice organizations, licensed therapists, or well-known grief support groups. If in doubt, check the creator's credentials or look for affiliations with trusted institutions. If you are unsure, as a trusted individual to review the site for you. Protect Your Privacy Grief can make people vulnerable, and certain individuals or organizations can take advantage of that. Be cautious about sharing personal information like your full name, phone number, social security number, passwords, or financial details, especially in comment sections, private messages, or text. No reputable organization will ask for financial information or personal information via text or email. Watch Out for Scams Be wary of anyone offering miracle cures for grief or asking for donations or payments upfront. Scammers sometimes target people in grief communities by pretending to offer help or spiritual services. Never send money using gift cards. No trustworthy organization will ask you to pay using gift cards or ask you to share account details directly with them. This should always be a huge red flag. Take Breaks When Needed The internet and social media can be overwhelming, especially during emotional times. If content leaves you feeling more upset than supported, it's okay to step away. Choose uplifting or calming videos and try to limit screen time. Many grievers utilize videos (TikTok, YouTube, or reels) to distract from grief but should be careful it does not become consuming. You can monitor your screen time on most phones. Pay attention to how much time you are spending online. You can even set a timer to scroll for a set amount of time and then commit to putting down your phone, or shutting off your computer, and then get outside or move on to a more meaningful task. Join Safe Online Communities Look for moderated grief support groups with clear rules and active administrators. Many nonprofits and churches offer safe online forums or Facebook groups specifically for those experiencing loss. Also keep in mind that while grief groups can provide a sense of community in the comfort of your home, they can also easily become overwhelming or consuming of your time and mental energy. If you start to feel a group is taking up a lot of your time, or causing you more distress or anxiety, it may be time to exit and find another support group.   We're here to support you - We listen . We support . We care . - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar .

www.wcnc.com Pete Brunnick, President & CEO of VIA Health Partners speaks on Charlotte Today about providing care that moves with the needs of the patient, from primary care services through to hospice services. As health needs change, navigating multiple doctors, services, and decisions can feel overwhelming for patients and families. VIA Health Partners is working to simplify that experience with a care model that stays with the patient, from home-based primary care to palliative care and hospice services.   About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners is an independent, community-based not-for-profit provider of hospice and serious illness care, serving patients and families in thirty-eight counties across the Carolinas. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, VIA Health Partners provides exceptional, compassionate care for more than 5,000 patients and their families each day. Learn more at www.viahp.org .

Joyce with some of the family members who nominated her for the DAISY Award Honoring Compassion: Lake Norman’s Joyce Davis Receives the 2025 Q3 DAISY Award Being nominated for a DAISY Award is a tremendous honor that exemplifies the kind of care a nurse provides to her patients.  So, when Joyce Davis was nominated not once… not twice… but three separate times  by two different patient families  … all we could say was WOW!   On Wednesday, October 29 th , the Lake Norman office, along with some family members who nominated Joyce, came together to present her with the DAISY Award at a surprise celebration. Joyce with Nicole Wolfe, Regional AVP NC East The following is just one of the nominations she received: My husband battled with ALS for several years. I am his full-time caregiver and cheerleader. Last year, upon entering Hospice, we were fortunate to have Joyce Davis, RN, with VIA Health Partners, assigned. She is now a cherished part of our support community. Joyce wears many hats, and they all fit well! She is first and foremost an exceptional nurse, and she cared for my husband in a compassionate way with some humor tossed in for good measure.  I have to believe that he received the same level of care that her family members would. And it’s not just a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, or thermometer in her bag of tools that she uses. Joyce engaged with him and talked to him about things he was interested in. Joyce is also an educator. I learned something new almost every visit, which empowers me to better care for my husband.  And did I mention she’s patient and willing to answer the same question or show me the same procedure as if I’ve never asked or seen it before? Joyce is available, and between visits, I can usually reach her for a quick phone call – assuming she’s not with other clients.  This puts me at ease to know that I can contact Joyce when I’m worried about something, and don’t have to wait until the next visit. Joyce is a good listener and encourager and takes an interest in our family and friends.  She invests time with us, which tells me she cares!  She always tells me I’m doing a good job, which may or may not be true, but it means a lot coming from her! Some may read the above and think that Joyce is just performing her job description, but I know better.  Whether she is wearing a nursing, educator, listener, encourager, or interested party hat, Joyce always shows up for both of us with kindness and professionalism. There are nurses who perform their jobs and nurses who share themselves as they care for others.  Joyce falls into the latter category. Even though we’re pretty sure he will not win his battle with ALS, we are so grateful to have Joyce as part of our support community and in our foxhole! With gratitude, Family Member Thank you, Joyce, for making all of us at VIA Health Partners proud that you are on our team!   How can YOU get involved? Nominate a Nurse: Do you know a nurse who consistently goes above and beyond? Nominate them for The DAISY Award! https://app.formdr.com/practice/NDMwMzI=/form/X2lvAFxwlEbzo_-cKi0pjBIDc2Jnt4d6 Spread the Word: Encourage colleagues, patients, and families to recognize outstanding nursing care. This DAISY Award program is a significant step in our commitment to honoring and valuing our nursing professionals. We look forward to celebrating our dedicated nurses and making The DAISY Award an integral part of our recognition culture at VIA Health Partners. About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners is an independent, community-based not-for-profit provider of hospice and serious illness care, serving patients and families in thirty-eight counties across the Carolinas. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, VIA Health Partners provides exceptional, compassionate care for more than 5,000 patients and their families each day. Learn more at www.viahp.org .

Reviewed by: Suzanne Grafals, LCSW - Grief Counselor with VIA Health Partners A Movie Review - The Life List: A Journey Through Grief, Purpose, and Rediscovery Grief doesn't come with a roadmap; but sometimes, it comes with a list. In this emotionally grounded film, we follow Alex, a young woman navigating the first raw year after her mother's death from cancer. Instead of receiving traditional inheritance money or a company title, Alex is given something far more personal: a list of childhood goals and a final request to rediscover the person she once dreamed of becoming. To receive each heartfelt video message her mother recorded before passing, Alex must first complete a goal. In doing so, her grief transforms into a journey of healing, self-reflection, and unexpected joy. Each completed task peels back a layer of who Alex used to be and who she might still become. What makes these moments powerful is their imperfection. They are simple, real, and full of heart, reminding us that healing doesn't happen all at once. Sometimes, it comes in small, messy steps forward. Rather than offering neat resolutions or polished storylines, the film embraces the nonlinear reality of loss. It reminds us that moving forward doesn't mean letting go. It means carrying love with us into whatever come next. There's no dramatic makeover; no tired cliche about "everything happens for a reason." Instead, there's a quiet, honest truth: you're still here and that matters. Once of the film's most moving themes is reconnection, not just with those we've lost, but with the parts of ourselves we thought were gone with them. There's no forced optimism or empty comfort. Just the reminder that life after loss isn't about finding a silver lining; it's about honoring the love that remains by choosing to keep living. This is a film for anyone learning how to live again in the wake of loss. Tender, raw, and deeply human. It's an honest companion for those walking through grief. Question for Processing Grief and Rediscovery: Think back to your childhood dreams. What's one goal or passion you had as a kid that you've left behind? Could it still have a place in your life? How do you stay connected to those you've lost? Are there rituals, places, stories, or traditions that help keep their memory alive? If you were to leave behind a message for someone you love, what would you want them to remember most about you? What would you want them to carry forward? How are you experiencing healing right now, not as an end goal, but as a living, ongoing process? We're here to support you - We listen . We support . We care . - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar .

By: Jasmine Blue, MA - Grief Counselor with VIA Health Partners When the Holidays Hurt: Grieving Through the Season For many, the holidays are wrapped in joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, for those carrying grief, the season can feel like standing outside in the cold, watching a party you can't seem to join. Grief doesn't take a break for the holidays. If anything, the season can sharpen the ache, highlighting every empty seat at the table and every missing laugh. It's the quietest moments: the decorating, the shopping, the stillness after the festivities end, where loss often screams the loudest. Yet, there is no rulebook for grieving during the holidays or any season meant for celebration. There is only this truth - you are allowed to experience the holidays differently now! Here is what grief during the holidays really looks like: Feeling disconnected, even when surrounded by people. Smiling outwardly while aching inwardly. Feeling pressure to "keep it together" for the sake of tradition. Wanting to skip everything and feeling guilty about it. Remembering "what was" while wrestling with "what is." As you go through this holiday season, remember that grieving during the holidays is not a failure of the "holiday spirit," it is a continuation of love expressed in tears, silence, memories and/or the stubborn courage it takes to show up at all. As you navigate your grief this holiday season, here are 5 gentle reminders : You are allowed to change traditions. If the old ways feel too painful, create something new or do nothing at all. You don't owe anyone your presence. Say "yes" only to what feels safe and supportive. Decline what feels overwhelming. Honor your grief openly. Set a chair. Light a candle, Share a story. Let your loved one's absence be seen and felt. Build in breathing room. Leave space between events. Step outside. Drive alone if you need the freedom to leave early. Find tiny anchors of peace. A warm drink. A handwritten note. A walk at sunset. Small, steady acts of care that carry you through. Remember, you are not behind. You are not broken. You are simply living through a season that asks your heart to stretch in ways others may not understand. This holiday, your grief is not a disruption; it's a testament to love that refuses to be silenced. Grief doesn't ruin the holidays. It reshapes them. It asks us to make room for sorrow and celebration to sit at the same table. We're here to support you - We listen . We support . We care . - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar .

VIA Health Partners to Provide Hospice Services in Cumberland County Certificate of Need approval clears path for 2026 launch CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sept. 16, 2025  — VIA Health Partners announced today that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has approved its application for a Certificate of Need (CON) to develop a new hospice home care office in Cumberland County. The decision, issued July 28, authorizes VIA Health Partners to expand its hospice and palliative care services into Cumberland County, meeting a need identified in the 2025 State Medical Facilities Plan. The approved project represents an $85,000 capital investment and follows VIA’s longstanding mission to ensure that families facing serious illness have access to high-quality, patient-centered care in their own communities. “This approval marks an important milestone for VIA Health Partners and for families in Cumberland County,” said Peter Brunnick, president and CEO of VIA Health Partners. “Our organization has served patients across the Carolinas for more than 47 years, and we are honored to bring our model of expert, compassionate care to a new region of the state.” As part of the approval, VIA Health Partners is committed to providing culturally competent care, ensuring that hospice and palliative care services are accessible to medically underserved populations throughout Cumberland County. The conditional approval outlines a timetable for implementation that includes opening the new office by spring 2026, with services expected to begin in April 2026.                                                                                              About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners is an independent, community-based not-for-profit provider of hospice and serious illness care, serving patients and families in thirty-eight counties across the Carolinas. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, VIA Health Partners provides exceptional, compassionate care for more than 5,000 patients and their families each day. Learn more at www.viahp.org . Media Contact: Peggy Brookhouse                        704.488.2753                        peggy@brookhousegroup.com

By Jim Parker | September 4, 2025  | hospicenews.com North Carolina-headquartered VIA Health partners has expanded into the home-based primary care arena with the acquisition of Equity Health. Financial terms were undisclosed. Michelle Schmerge, president and founder of Equity Health, established the company about five years ago. Equity Health’s model involves offering a full spectrum of primary care services in the home, with the goals of reducing burden on caregivers, reducing hospitalizations and improving chronic disease management. The company also offers patients and families 24/7 access to a nurse practitioner. “There comes a time in everybody’s life where it’s hard to get out to a clinic. You no longer can drive anymore. You’re dependent on caregivers to get your medical care delivered. There is this massive gap in health care where patients just sort of can’t receive health care in the way they traditionally would, and so they always go to the hospital,” Schmerge told Hospice News. “So we decided to start a home-based primary care practice and deliver care to patients directly in their homes.” The roots of the transaction took hold when a consultant hired by VIA Health Partners introduced the nonprofit’s President and CEO Peter Brunnick to Schmerge. The two also served together on the board of another organization. Equity Health was already on the hunt for potential partners, and as their conversations developed both parties felt that VIA was the right fit, according to Brunnick. VIA Health Partners is an independent, community-based not-for-profit provider of hospice and serious illness care, serving more than 5,000 patients and families daily across 38 counties across the Carolinas. Part of the impetus for the acquisition was to better position VIA for participation in the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access and Community Health (ACO REACH) payment model, according to Brunnick. The organization is currently enrolled in ACO REACH, but felt that home-based primary care could boost patient attributions and better coordinate services for patients aligned with the program, he said. “As we delved into value-based care through ACO REACH, it was very apparent to us that, as a hospice care organization, that we really were not truly managing patient care and therefore getting attribution, because we are somewhat limited,” Brunnick told Hospice News. “And [the Equity Health deal] just seemed like a good opportunity for us.” Currently, Equity Health’s services are scaled through most of VIA Health Partners geographic footprint, with some expansion to come in South Carolina, according to Schmerge. The company may rebrand but won’t do so immediately, Brunnick said. In addition to ACO REACH, offering home-based primary care in time may give VIA Health Partners access to additional payment models and revenue streams that are focused on chronic disease management, Brunnick said. Home-based primary care will also allow for greater continuity of care and smoother transitions into hospice or other specialty services when appropriate. “Now we have this integration where there’s a disposition for those patients to end-of-life care without really breaking up the continuity of care,” Brunnick said. “We’re learning a lot more about non-hospice services, how to really do it the right way. And [Schmerge’s] team is really being able to benefit from understanding end-of-life care and dealing with death and dying. And so we are learning from each other.” This article originally appeared on hospicenews.com : VIA Health Partners Acquires Primary Care Company Equity Health - Hospice News

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 2, 2025  — VIA Health Partners has expanded its range of services by welcoming Equity Health, a Denver, N.C.–based provider of home-based primary care and wellness services, into its organization. The partnership strengthens VIA’s ability to deliver personalized, coordinated care, especially for patients living with serious illnesses who benefit from being treated at home. Equity Health is recognized for providing high-quality medical care where patients live, reducing the stress of travel, removing barriers to treatment, and ensuring continuity of care. By integrating its team and expertise into VIA Health Partners, patients will have access to a more connected health experience that includes hospice, palliative, supportive, and now primary care services. “Equity Health’s focus on patient-first, in-home care fits hand-in-glove with our mission,” said VIA Health Partners President & CEO Peter Brunnick. “Together, we can offer more services, more expertise, and an even stronger foundation of support for the people we serve.” “Joining VIA Health Partners is a natural next step for us,” said Equity Health President & Founder Michelle Schmerge. “Our patients will keep the trusted relationships they’ve built while gaining access to more resources, more services, and a care team that works together every step of the way.” The integration is effective immediately. Patients will continue with their current providers while gaining expanded services and coordinated support. About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners is an independent, community-based not-for-profit provider of hospice and serious illness care, serving patients and families in thirty-eight counties across the Carolinas. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, VIA Health Partners provides exceptional, compassionate care for more than 5,000 patients and their families each day. Learn more at www.viahp.org . About Equity Health Equity Health is a Denver, N.C.–based provider of home-based primary care, wellness, and preventive services. Founded on the belief that quality care should be accessible, equitable, and patient-focused, Equity Health delivers personalized medical care tailored to each patient’s needs. Learn more at www.EquityHealthCares.com .

By Anderson Cooper Reviewed by Grief Counselor Kerstin McMillian, M.A., LCMHCA All There Is - A Podcast Review All There Is is a heartfelt podcast that offers compassionate exploration of grief and loss. Anderson Cooper skillfully guides guests through their personal stories, shedding light on the complex emotions and challenges that come with mourning. The series provides comfort and validation for listeners experiencing grief, emphasizing that it's a natural, universal part of life. With empathy and honesty, All There Is helps us understand that while grief is deeply personal, we are not alone in our pain. It's a meaningful resource for anyone seeking to make sense of loss and find solace in shared human experiences. In Season 3, Episode 10 of All There Is , titled "Doris Kearns Goodwin," Anderson engages in a heartfelt conversation with the esteemed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Doris shares her personal journey of sorting through boxes of papers and mementos with her husband, Dick Goodwin, before his passing. This intimate process allowed them to reflect on their shared history, bringing unexpected insights and deepening their connection in his final days. Doris' experience underscores the therapeutic potential of revisiting cherished memories, and the comfort found in shared reflection. For those navigating their own paths through loss, this episode offers a personal testimony to the healing power of memory and connection. It serves as a gentle reminder that in remembering and sharing our stories, we honor those we've lost and find comfort in the enduring presence of love. The website: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/dealing-with-grief-anderson-cooper/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper/id1643163707 We're here to support you - We listen . We support . We care . - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #AllThereIsPodcast #AndersonCooperPodcast #GriefPodcast #PodcastOnGrief #GriefAndHealing #CopingWithLoss #GriefSupport #DorisKearnsGoodwin #HealingThroughStories #PodcastReview #GriefResources #NavigatingLoss #GriefAndMemory #FindingComfortInGrief #MourningAndHealing #SharedGriefExperiences #TherapeuticStorytelling #HonoringLovedOnes #ProcessingGrief #GriefAwareness #CompassionateGriefSupport #GriefCommunity #PodcastRecommendations #MentalHealthPodcasts #HealingThroughConnection #ReflectingOnLoss #GriefJourney #GriefEducation #EmotionalHealing #SharedStoriesOfGrief

By Lead Grief Counselor Rebecca Tucker, M.A., LCMHC, NCC Summer is Made for Waves Summer is here and maybe the beach is calling your name. Perhaps vacation doesn't sound like much of a priority right now. The water is said to be healing, but what if the ocean water and its surroundings cause more pain? The harsh reminder that the memories made now will look very different. The list of analogies comparing grief and some type of water are endless. Most have likely heard the notion of "grief waves," as our grief will rise and fall like the waves of the ocean. Depending on the ocean you are on, the waves may be fairly small like here on the North Carolina coast. Perhaps your waves are like those of the famous Pipeline of the north shore in Oahu, Hawaii - strong, wild, and unpredictable. These waves are our grief. At times, our grief rolls like thunder coming off the wide ocean. The tears fall fast and the swell in our heart feels as if it might actually burst through our chest. It is heavy and strong, leaving us feeling exhausted and maybe even a bit disoriented. That grief wave was a big one, the one that well-meaning folks have cautioned us. Sometimes these waves are predictable, like death anniversaries, birthdays, holidays. Sometimes we wake up to cloudy skies and a pain so unimaginable that it sees no end, as if we are caught in the riptide of the wave, no closer to finding the surface or a breath without pain. What we often find is the oscillation of big waves that are followed by smaller, more manageable ones. What is always interesting is that the waves do not ever stop. The ocean is constantly moving, shifting, changing. Our grief is the same. We will likely never get to a place where our grief is perfectly still, flat, or static. That is just not the way the ocean, or our grief, works. What we hope to find is that our grief gets more manageable. That might look like getting the right "equipment" for the waves - maybe your metaphorical surfboard is a good support group, the surf coach is healthy coping strategies, a creative outlet, etc. Those are the tools we are tapping into to help ride the wave even when we know we are facing some dangerous surf. Other times, we don't need much to get through the waves of grief because they have softened, either just for the day or over time as a whole. These are the waves that wash over our feet at the edge of the ocean. They can offer relief on a hot day to cool our tired feet. These grief waves offer us the beauty in balance, that while we notice the gentle wave, we also notice the rush of relief and comfort a cool wave on a hot day can bring. The grief wave brings a memory that can be painful to recall but so warming to remember a truly joyous or funny time with your person. As you move about this new phase of life as a grieving person, take notice of your waves and how they impact you. Are you getting knocked down at every turn or are you able to find reprieve in smaller, more gentle reminders of your grief? Even if the ocean feels chaotic and unsettled now, may you find some gentle waves ahead.   We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #GriefAndHealing #WavesOfGrief #CopingWithLoss #GriefJourney #GriefAnalogies #NavigatingGrief #SummerAndGrief #HealingThroughNature #GriefSupport #GriefResources #FindingComfortAfterLoss #GriefAndSelfCare #GriefAwareness #EmotionalHealing #GriefAndTheOcean #ManagingGrief #GriefWellness #GriefWaves #GriefAndVacation #GriefInSummer #HealingThroughReflection #SurvivingGrief #LivingWithLoss #GriefStories #FindingPeaceInGrief #GriefAndMemory #LossAndHealing #GriefAndSeasons #CopingStrategiesForGrief #MindfulGrieving

By David Cathcart, MDIV How Our Brain Responds to Grief   When we lose a loved one, time seems to move strangely - some days dragging like a slow tide, others disappearing entirely, as if grief had stolen not just our loved one, but our sense of reality as well. The memory lapses and loss of time can be confusing and disorienting, but they are normal aspects of the grieving process. Grief isn't something we move through in neat stages like denial or acceptance. Instead, it's a messy, back-and-forth process that changes over time.   Grief is a universal experience that affects not just our emotions but also how our brain works. Modern research, including the work of Mary-Frances O'Connor, author of The Grieving Brain , sheds light on why grief feels so overwhelming and how our brain helps us heal over time.   O'Connor explains that grief isn't just about sadness; it's also about how our brain tries to make sense of a world that's suddenly different.   When someone we love dies, our brain struggles to adjust. For years, our brain has created patterns and routines around their presence - whether it's expecting them to walk through the door or hearing their voice on the phone. When they're gone, the brain doesn't immediately know how to handle this new reality, which is why the loss can feel so confusing and painful.   Emotions like sadness, anger, and even numbness are linked to how specific parts of our brain react to loss. The amygdala, the part of the brain that processes strong emotions, often becomes overactive, which can make everything feel more intense. At the same time, the parts of the brain that help us think clearly or stay focused, like the prefrontal cortex, might struggle to keep up. This is why it can be hard to concentrate or make decisions while grieving.   Grief doesn't just affect our mind - it affects our body, too. Stress hormones, like cortisol, rise when we're grieving, which can lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, trouble sleeping, or even feeling sick. At the same time, the absence of brain chemicals like oxytocin, which helps us feel connected to others, can make us feel incredibly lonely. The good news is that our brain is built to adapt. Over time, it starts to form new pathways that help us live with the loss. This doesn't mean we stop missing the person, but the pain becomes less overwhelming as we learn to carry it differently. O'Connor describes this shift as moving from "acute grief" - when the loss feels fresh and raw, to "integrated grief"- when we begin to find meaning and joy again, even while remembering the person we lost.   Understanding how the brain processes grief helps us see that it's not just about "getting over it" but about giving ourselves time to adjust. Practices like mindfulness or talking to a therapist can help as they teach the brain new ways to handle the pain. Grief is a sign of how deeply we've loved, and while it's painful, it also shows the brain's amazing ability to heal and grow, even after profound loss. We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #GriefAndTheBrain #NeuroscienceOfGrief #HowGriefAffectsTheBrain #BrainAndGriefConnection #EmotionalProcessingOfLoss #NeurologyOfGrief #UnderstandingGriefResponses #GriefAndMentalHealth #CopingWithLoss #BrainChangesInGrief #PsychologyOfGrief #TraumaAndTheBrain #HealingFromLoss #EffectsOfGriefOnTheBrain #BrainFunctionAndGrief #StressAndGriefResponse #NeurobiologyOfGrief #HowLossImpactsTheMind #BrainActivityDuringGrief #CognitiveEffectsOfGrief #MemoryAndGrief #EmotionalRegulationInGrief #MentalHealthAfterLoss #StagesOfGriefAndTheBrain #GriefAndCognitiveFunction #MindBodyConnectionInGrief #HealingAfterLoss #CopingMechanismsForGrief #TheScienceOfGrief #HowGriefRewiresTheBrain