Rising Through Grief

A Blog About Understanding, Navigating, and Rising Through Grief.

Empty Seats, Full Hearts: Navigating the Holidays When You’re Missing Loved Ones (Without Losing Your Marbles)

Let’s be honest: the holidays can feel like a Hallmark movie… but with a rogue subplot that involves grief showing up uninvited. You’re supposed to be decking the halls and fa-la-la-la-ing your way through the season, but instead, there’s this big ol’ lump in your throat—and it’s not from inhaling a gingerbread cookie too quickly.

Why We Treat Our Tummies Like Emotional Landfills (And What to Do Instead)

Ah, stress eating: the pastime as American as apple pie, but usually involving more than just one slice. Why do we overeat when stressed? It could be because screaming into a pillow doesn’t have the same satisfying crunch as a bag of chips. Or perhaps your feelings have mistaken your stomach for a storage unit.

The Not-So-Glamorous Guide to Nail Biting: Why We Do It and How to Stop

Ah, nail-biting—nature’s manicure, right? Wrong! This pesky little habit is as beneficial as solving a Rubik’s Cube with your feet. Despite its universal appeal, nail biting is one curious problem we’ve all pondered while inadvertently nibbling on our digits during a horror movie or a botched PowerPoint presentation. Psychologically, there are usually more psychological factors

Life, Lemons, and the Art of Not Making Lemonade with Negative Coping Mechanisms

Picture this: life just handed you a big ol’ bag of lemons. Not the friendly, sweet kind that’s good with a bit of honey – nope. That is the sour, face-puckering, ‘I-can’t-even-believe-this-is-happening’ kind. And what do most of us do when faced with such a bounty of citrusy disaster? We reach for our favorite coping

Chill Out: How Cold Exposure Can Freeze Your Brain Into Awesomeness

Alright, hear me out—what if I told you that willingly subjecting yourself to icy water could help your mind? Yes, I know. It sounds like one of those ideas your eccentric uncle would bring up at Thanksgiving dinner. But cold exposure is the real deal! Dunking yourself in something as inviting as Arctic water is

Nourish Your Body, Boost Your Mind: A Guide to Thriving Inside and Out

Let’s talk about nurturing ourselves—body and mind. We tend to think of the body and mind as separate entities, hanging out on opposite ends of the cosmic couch. But the truth is, they’re tight-knit roommates who, when on good terms, create a fantastic home to live in. So, let’s look at some ways to treat

Eat Happy: How Feeding Your Gut Can Fuel Your Mental Mojo

Alright, guys, I have a confession. I’ve been in healthcare for over a decade and have been a nurse for several years. Well, until two years ago, I did not know that over 90% of serotonin production happened in the gut. My psychiatrist dropped this bombshell on me, and I was utterly surprised. I don’t

Trauma and the Brain: How Your Mind Gets Stuck in a Fight Club (and How to Get It Out)

Let’s get real: trauma doesn’t just mess with your feelings—it rewires your brain, putting it in a never-ending cycle of “alert mode.” Imagine your brain is like a car alarm. Most of the time, it just hangs out, maybe making sure the windows are rolled up. But trauma hits, and suddenly, that alarm is honking

Surviving Election Season Stress (Without Losing Your Mind or Moving to a Mountain)

Ah, election time in the U.S.! The air is filled with campaign ads, the social media feeds are buzzing with hot takes, and every news channel has a countdown clock that could rival New Year’s Eve. It’s like the Super Bowl, except it lasts for months, nobody wins any rings, and the commercials somehow make

Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Feet: Grounding Techniques for the Anxiously Inclined

Let’s be real for a second: we all have moments when our brain feels like it’s plotting a mutiny. Suddenly, you’re spiraling about that email you forgot to send two weeks ago, the future of global warming, and whether or not your cat secretly resents you. Fun times! But here’s where grounding techniques come in.

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