Remembering

Pop - Vincent M. Losito
Nonno - Alexander Losito -
Nonna-  Philomena Losito -
Uncle - Michael Losito
Zia- Rose Losito
Great Uncle - Felix A. Losito
Advisor - Andrew V. Coffey
Friend - Josephina Rojas
Friend - Otto Beuthin

5 Easy Ways to Combat Overthinking

Do you ever become trapped in an overanalyzing rut?
I tend to think a lot in general, but sometimes, I find myself looking at a subject way too closely and way too much, and the ruminating takes on a life of its own. (It might even revolve around an abstract concept as opposed to an actual event that’s occurring.)
When introspection becomes stressful, there are antidotes. Here are some of my personal suggestions…

1. Adopt a hobby.

Maybe if your spare time is filled with an activity that you love, overthinking spells will be pushed to the curb. I’ve started to re-immerse myself in the French language since I’m a total Francophile. Weekend hours are set aside for verb conjugations and charming vocabulary. Oui, oui, oui.

2. Write it down.

I have journaled to lighten my mental load, where I can flesh out thoughts and feelings. (I find that the physical act of writing into a notebook is a more effective cathartic release than an online diary, but to each his or her own.) For someone who isn’t interested in writing, journaling may be viewed as a burden, so it certainly comes down to individual preference.

3. Keep your hands occupied.

According to this article, the psychological theory proposes that when we’re stressed, we absorb information through two channels. “One is the basic, primal sensory channel: the sights, sounds, sensations, and smells of the situation. The other is an intellectual channel: our brains are trying to make sense of what’s going on, and put it into words and a context that we can talk about.”
Researchers explain that if the sensory channel is occupied, the intellectual channel is muted; therefore, stress relief techniques that incorporate the hands “will use up more ‘brain cycles’ and pull processing power away from intellectual activities.” A stress ball may do the trick, along with drawing or knitting. (I’ve experimented with colorful rugs via latch hook!)
The article also presents another theory, which states that large muscle groups contract in preparation for flight when we’re consumed with stress. Muscle fibers in your arms relax and reduce tension when squeezing stress balls or keeping your hands busy with objects of a similar nature.

4. Move around.

I revel in long walks around the neighborhood – preferably in beautiful weather – and have found that walking unleashes mental chatter and induces clarity. Exercise, rolling blade, or any other movement can help as well.

5. Talk to someone.

Sometimes, being honest and vulnerable with someone you’re comfortable with will clear your mind. After exposing your overanalysis to others, it suddenly doesn’t appear as daunting. And who knows, maybe they can relay insight about the topic at hand, which could provide further guidance. With this further guidance contact Dr. Losito 24/7 to receive the reassurance of what is on your mind.

Overthinking can be unpleasant, draining and debilitating, but hopefully, the tips noted above can disrupt these incessant cycles.

When to seek Dr. Losito's help for grief ?

If you recognize any of the above symptoms of complicated grief or clinical depression, talk to a mental health professional right away. Left untreated, complicated grief and depression can lead to significant emotional damage, life-threatening health problems, and even suicide. But treatment can help you get better.

Contact a grief counselor, Dr. Losito, if you:

• Feel like life isn’t worth living
• Wish you had died with your loved one
• Blame yourself for the loss or for failing to prevent it
• Feel numb and disconnected from others for more than a few weeks
• Are having difficulty trusting others since your loss
• Are unable to perform your normal daily activities

Do Not Grieve Alone

The single most important factor in healing from loss is having the support of other people. Even if you aren’t comfortable talking about your feelings under normal circumstances, it’s important to express them when you’re grieving. Sharing your loss makes the burden of grief easier to carry. Wherever the support comes from, accept it and do not grieve alone. Contact Dr. Losito an excellent and experienced grief and loss therapist.

Finding support after a loss

• Turn to friends and family members – Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Draw loved ones close, rather than avoiding them, and accept the assistance that’s offered. Oftentimes, people want to help but don’t know how, so tell them what you need—whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or help with funeral arrangements.
• Draw comfort from your faith – If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Spiritual activities that are meaningful to you—such as praying, meditating, or going to church—can offer solace. If you’re questioning your faith in the wake of the loss, talk to a clergy member or others in your religious community.
• Join a support group – Grief can feel very lonely, even when you have loved ones around. Sharing your sorrow with others who have experienced similar losses can help. To find a bereavement support group in your area, contact local hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and counseling centers.
• Talk to Dr. Losito – If your grief feels like too much to bear, call a Dr. Losito a mental health professional with experience in grief counseling.  He is an experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving.

Common Symptoms of Grief

 

While loss affects people in different ways, many experience the following symptoms when they’re grieving. Just remember that almost anything that you experience in the early stages of grief is normal—including feeling like you’re going crazy, feeling like you’re in a bad dream, or questioning your religious beliefs.

• Shock and disbelief – Right after a loss, it can be hard to accept what happened. You may feel numb, have trouble believing that the loss really happened, or even deny the truth. If someone you love has died, you may keep expecting him or her to show up, even though you know he or she is gone.
• Sadness – Profound sadness is probably the most universally experienced symptom of grief. You may have feelings of emptiness, despair, yearning, or deep loneliness. You may also cry a lot or feel emotionally unstable.
• Guilt – You may regret or feel guilty about things you did or didn’t say or do. You may also feel guilty about certain feelings (e.g. feeling relieved when the person died after a long, difficult illness). After a death, you may even feel guilty for not doing something to prevent the death, even if there was nothing more you could have done.
• Anger – Even if the loss was nobody’s fault, you may feel angry and resentful. If you lost a loved one, you may be angry with yourself, God, the doctors, or even the person who died for abandoning you. You may feel the need to blame someone for the injustice that was done to you.
• Fear – A significant loss can trigger a host of worries and fears. You may feel anxious, helpless, or insecure. You may even have panic attacks. The death of a loved one can trigger fears about your own mortality, of facing life without that person, or the responsibilities you now face alone.
• Physical symptoms – We often think of grief as a strictly emotional process, but grief often involves physical problems, including fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains, and insomnia.