Coping With Grief and Loss: Gentle Ways to Find Support

Grieving? Be gentle with yourself.

Grief is love with nowhere to go. It can follow a death, a breakup, a pregnancy loss, a diagnosis, losing a job or a home. There’s no right way to grieve and no deadline. Here are gentle ways to get through the hardest days.

Updated 10 November 2026 · 6 min read · By the AURA team

What grief can feel like

Grief comes in waves, not stages. You might feel:

Deep sadness, numbness, or both on the same day
Anger, guilt or “what if” thoughts
Exhaustion, trouble sleeping or eating, finding it hard to concentrate
Moments of relief or even laughter, followed by guilt for feeling them

All of this is normal. Good days and bad days can sit side by side for a long time.

Gentle ways to cope

Let the feelings come. Crying, talking or sitting quietly are all ways of grieving.
Look after the basics: sleep, food, water, a little daylight. Grief is physically tiring.
Accept help. Let people bring a meal, sit with you or run an errand.
Talk about them, or about what you lost. Saying their name keeps the connection alive.
Write it down. A letter to the person you lost, or simply what today was like. Journal prompts can help.
Expect hard dates. Birthdays and anniversaries can bring grief back; plan something gentle for them.

Grief after a breakup

The end of a relationship is a real loss, even when it was the right decision. Give yourself time, limit checking their social media, lean on friends, and bring back routines and interests that are yours. It’s normal to miss someone and still know you’re better apart.

Supporting someone who is grieving

You don’t have to find the right words. “I’m so sorry. I’m here” is enough. Offer specific help (“Can I bring dinner on Tuesday?”), say the person’s name, and keep checking in weeks and months later, when others have moved on. Our guide on how to help a friend has more ideas.

You don’t have to grieve alone

Talking with people who have been through a similar loss can bring comfort that’s hard to find elsewhere. On AURA you can share how you’re feeling, any time of day or night, with people who understand.

When grief needs more support

Please talk to a doctor or a grief counsellor if, after many months, grief still makes daily life very hard, if you feel you can’t go on without the person, or if you’re using alcohol or other things to cope. If you have thoughts of ending your life, reach out for help right away.

Questions

How long does grief last?

There is no set timeline. The most intense grief often softens over months, but it can return in waves for years, especially around anniversaries. Many people find that grief doesn’t go away so much as life grows around it.

Is it normal to feel angry when grieving?

Yes. Anger, guilt, relief and numbness are all common parts of grief. These feelings don’t mean you loved the person any less. Letting yourself feel them, and talking about them, helps.

Can I grieve something other than a death?

Yes. People grieve breakups, pregnancy loss, divorce, a lost job or home, a diagnosis, or the life they expected to have. Any loss that matters to you deserves care and support.