Keep the tissues close
A good cry can be expressive.
“Being able to express any
of your emotions helps you to
express all of your emotions.
When you’re able to express
grief or loss through crying,
it helps you to experience
love and joy as well,” says
Ganz Ferrance, a registered
psychologist with The Ferrance
Group in Edmonton. “When
you can cry out of joy, out of
appreciation or out of being
moved, it helps to deepen that
experience you are having.
It also helps you open up to
having much deeper emotional
experiences. Real strength is
being able to be vulnerable,
have your emotions and still
follow through on the things
you need to do. Crying doesn’t
have to stop you from acting.”
— J.L.
Losing a friend
Losing a friend, family member
or an important relationship
can be difficult at any age. It’s
especially challenging for older
adults, as their social circle
shrinks and people pass on.
Maintaining close
relationships with family and
friends, as well as being
open to new people and
experiences, can counter
the loss of friendships later in
life, says Candace Konnert,
an associate professor in
the University of Calgary’s
Department of Psychology.
“If they do that, they are
going to be a lot happier,”
Konnert says, noting that
research shows close social
relationships become more
important as people age.
“We know that seniors who
live long and healthy lives are
the ones who have purpose
and connection.”
If grief becomes
overwhelming—if someone
feels particularly lonely, socially
isolated or sad after the
loss of a friend or important
relationship—Konnert
suggests reaching out to
others for help. “It’s good at
any age to seek help if you
are experiencing those kinds
of symptoms.”
— J.L.
K
Crying can reduce stress and
produce endorphins, help process
grief, improve communication and
forge bonds between people.
