As I’ve recently learned, grief after a significant loss can hit you like a ton of bricks. It’s overwhelming, disorienting, and often arrives in waves you never see coming. There’s so much to process—emotionally, mentally, and physically—and taking care of your mental health during grief can feel like an entirely new challenge.
Grief often feels like an unpredictable roller coaster. Some days are manageable. Some days are heavy. And some days, you may not even be able to name what you’re feeling or why. All of those emotions are valid. There is no “right” way to grieve, and there is no timeline you are required to follow. During times of loss, it’s okay—and necessary—to step away when you need to. It’s okay to take brain breaks, to rest, and to prioritize your mental health in whatever ways help you feel supported. Grief takes time. It takes energy. And it takes patience with yourself.
I was a caretaker for a loved one in hospice alongside my parents and my aunt. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that role would require or just how deeply it would impact me. Caregiving in the face of anticipatory grief carries an immense emotional weight. Long hours. Interrupted sleep. Keeping your phone on at all times in case something urgent happens. Spending day after day in hospice or a full-time nursing care wing—then coming home completely depleted of both mental and physical energy.
While it is an honor to care for a loved one in their final days, it also asks so much of families and caretakers alike. The toll it takes doesn’t always show up right away. That’s why caring for your mental health afterward is so critical.
Whether it’s reaching out for therapy, joining a grief support group, or connecting with free resources offered by community organizations, support matters. Grief can be incredibly complex. One moment you may feel okay—maybe even good—and the next, you’re hit with a deep ache or an unexpected wave of sadness. This is normal. None of it means you’re doing grief “wrong.”
Navigating mental health while grieving can feel isolating, but you are not alone.
As I continue walking through grief, I’ve learned that sometimes comfort comes in the quiet moments. Sitting alone in a room with a journal and letting my thoughts spill onto the page. Other times, it’s stepping outside and connecting with nature—feeling grounded by something steady when everything else feels uncertain.
My advice to individuals, families, and caretakers is this: allow yourself to rest. Give your brain permission to pause. Ask yourself, What is helping me right now? What brings me even a small sense of comfort in this moment? Those answers may change from day to day—and that’s okay. Grief is not something you “get over.” It’s something you learn to carry. And taking care of your mental health along the way is not selfish—it’s essential. You deserve care, too.
