Grief can feel overwhelming, and many people wonder how to ease its intensity or even numb the pain. While it’s natural to seek relief, it’s important to approach grief in a healthy and constructive way that supports long-term healing.
Understanding the Need to Numb
The desire to numb grief often stems from the emotional weight of loss—sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion can feel unbearable. Numbing might seem like a way to cope, but suppressing emotions can sometimes prolong the grieving process. Instead, aim for strategies that provide relief while allowing space for processing your grief.
1. Healthy Distractions
Engaging in activities you enjoy can temporarily shift your focus:
- Take a walk in nature.
- Watch a comforting movie or read a book.
- Start a creative project like painting or journaling.
Distraction isn’t denial—it’s giving yourself moments of emotional reprieve.
2. Mindfulness Practices
Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your mind and body, reducing emotional pain without avoiding it entirely. Mindfulness encourages you to sit with your emotions in a manageable way.
We’ve created a grief meditation pack which offers a compassionate journey through grief, designed to integrate into your everyday life. Each of the 8 included tracks provide a unique perspective on the grieving process, allowing you to take them at your own pace.
🌱 Grow with our courses
Explore our courses – including Mental Health: Supporting Ourselves and the Grief Journey Workbook – on our dedicated Grief & Mental Health Training page.
3. Lean on Your Support Network
Talking with trusted friends or family can lighten the burden of grief. Sharing memories, laughter, or tears provides emotional relief. Consider grief support groups for connection with those who understand your experience.
4. Limit Unhealthy Numbing Behaviours
It’s tempting to rely on alcohol, overeating, or overworking to escape grief. While these might offer short-term relief, they often intensify pain in the long run. Instead, try to seek healthier outlets for your emotions.
5. Professional Support
If grief feels unbearable, speaking with a therapist or counsellor may be helpful. They can provide strategies to process your emotions safely.
6. Express Your Grief
Creative outlets, like writing, music, or art, can offer powerful ways to release feelings. Some people find reading books about grief helpful, as they offer understanding and guidance during difficult times.
While it’s natural to want to numb the pain of grief, it’s important to find balance—seeking relief while allowing yourself to feel and process your loss. Healing takes time, and there’s no “right” way to grieve.
If you’re looking for comfort and insight, consider exploring our Books for Grief, which offer stories and advice to help navigate this challenging journey.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
📢 NEW: The Holiday Grief Workbook
What’s Inside:
🎯 Grief at Christmas – Wellbeing plan, coping & crisis plan, 5-min daily journal
🗓️ Mindset & Finding Meaning – Plan your holiday, positive affirmations, gratitude
🤝 Connecting with Others – Social plan, boundary setting, talking about grief
💌 Celebrating Your Loved One – Honour traditions, ways to remember, write a letter to your loved one
🧘♀️ Self-Care & Stress – Stress journal, mindful moments, anxiety affirmations, daily self-care checklist
😴 Restful Nights – Holiday sleep goals, sleep tips, sleep diary, brain dump to declutter your mind
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Holiday Grief Workbook£15.00
🧠 Explore How the ‘Stages of Grief’ Work
The “stages” of grief are one of the most familiar frameworks people turn to when trying to understand loss – yet they’re often interpreted too literally.
Our Stages of Grief guide breaks down where the model came from, what each stage represents, and how it can offer insight without suggesting grief moves in tidy steps.
Explore the page to learn:
🧭 Why grief shifts over time rather than progressing in order
🌊 How emotions can rise and fall in waves
🧩 Other grief models that may resonate more deeply with your experience