By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County
The holidays are an exciting time. However, special times such as the holidays can often trigger people to miss loved ones that have passed away. We all experience grief sometime during life, and loss is a part of life. Some may lose a loved one early in life, while others may live a long life before experiencing grief from losing a close friend or family member.
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. It is a normal response after the death of a family member or friend to grieve. Numerous other losses can also cause grief, such as the end of a relationship, moving to a new community, the death of a pet, a change of job, and illness. How we react to grief can affect our physical, mental, or emotional health.
No two people are the same, so it is unlikely that you will experience grief the exact same way as someone else. However, some of the more common experiences include:
• Difficulty concentrating
• Guilt
• Anger
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of motivation
• Withdrawal from others
• Deep sadness
Healthy grieving is an active process. The grieving process is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Our experiences of grief are temporary if we acknowledge and work through our reactions instead of trying to shut them off. However, even after years of loss we may still experience a strong sense of grief at times, especially around influential periods such as a family wedding, the birth of a child, and holidays.
Coping with painful experiences is different for everyone. Here are some suggestions others have used to help through their grieving process:
• Exercise
• Eat healthy, good foods
• Be patient with yourself
• Let yourself feel grief
• Take time to relax
• Talk to family or friends
• Read books
• Try to avoid taking on new responsibilities for a time
• Join a support group
• Do something to help someone else
Just as grieving and coping with pain are different for everyone, a person should not let it damage their health or the people around them. If grief seems to be consuming a person’s life or interfering with normal activities after a period of time, professional help is advised.
Penne Pasta Bake
1 box penne pasta
1 pound sausage
1 pound hamburger
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon parsley
2 jars spaghetti sauce
3 cups Italian cheese
Cook penne noodles according to box directions. Brown together a pound of sausage and a pound of hamburger. Drain, and add oregano and parsley and a jar of spaghetti sauce. Mix with 1 cup of Italian cheese. Pour noodles into a casserole pan. Cover with meat sauce, mix together, then add another jar of spaghetti sauce. Mix everything together and top with more Italian cheese (2 cups). Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and everything is hot. Submitted by Anna Rossington, Defeated FCE Club.
