Grief is tough in every way. 

Figuring out what works to ease the pain and help yourself heal is no easy task, especially when getting out of bed in the morning is probably taking every ounce of energy you have.

So good news! I’ve saved you the trial and error and did it for you There is an entire list below with nonaffiliate links. In other words, I don’t get anything for telling you about these products. I just love them and know how much they helped me. I’ll let you know if that changes.

Since I’m no novice to healing after loss (it’s been almost 13 years since my girls died) it’s safe to say I’ve thoroughly vetted what helps – and these were (still are) my most practical GRIEF SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS. 

My FULL list of books, resources, activities, advice, tools, and products that have nurtured my healing for over ten years is extensive, but for right now I want you to have the foundational things that changed the game for me since day one of my grief.

I’ll share the rest later, but I don’t want you to go another minute without the things that got me through.

1. Green Jasmine Tea – With all the health benefits of green tea, this delicate, floral version has even more healing properties than green tea on its own. The jasmine essential oil absorbed by the tea leaves has emotional well-being benefits. Jasmine fosters hope, courage, and helps open your heart to healing. 

I still drink green jasmine tea EVERY SINGLE DAY. After approximately 10,000 cups of tea since Aubrey and Ellie died, I can say without a doubt tea remains foundational to my healing process.

Art of tea has the best selection of single-origin green jasmine teas around and Teamotions has a passionfruit jasmine green tea with adaptogen herbs called Find Strength that is not only delicious but contains eleuthero root to help restore inner strength when you need it most. It’s amazing.

If you don’t like green jasmine tea, any tea will work. Tea is the worlds most comforting superfood with the power to heal body and soul. Find one you like and make time to enjoy a cup – or two – every single day.

2. An Electric Tea Kettle – I can’t stress the importance of a daily tea ritual enough. By ritual I mean intentional time carved out every single day to sip a warm cup of tea while you check in with yourself emotionally. This emotional check-in is crucial during a season of grief. 

An electric tea kettle makes this process so easy nothing will stand in the way of this critical self-care routine.

The temperature settings allow a mistake-proof tea making process and it automatically turns off if it’s empty or when it reaches temperature so you are never at risk of leaving water on the stove to dry boil and burn the house down (something I absolutely did in my grief when my brain wasn’t working right – minus the burning down of my house. It was still scary though).

The ease of use of an electric tea kettle is worth one hundred times its cost. It will be one of the best investments you make in your healing.

3. Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On – lavender has been used for centuries to calm and soothe the mind and body and for good reason. I can’t imagine life without lavender and it’s ability to instantly calm and soothe frazzled emotions. 

I had two roll-ons, one by my bed and one in my purse. Everytime I felt overwhelmed in public (church or the grocery store for example) I would roll some lavender on my wrist to take the edge off until I could tend to my feelings. 

If I had trouble sleeping at night or couldn’t stop crying, I’d roll some on my chest and the soles of my feet. I still have a lavender roll-on near my bed and use it on myself and my children when we need that extra calming support. 

4. Gaia Herbs Adrenal Support – Grief takes a toll on your adrenals. Without proper adrenal support, grief can cause adrenal exhaustion. Avoid adding physical depletion onto your grief by using a good adrenal support supplement that contains adaptogen herbs. Gaia has my favorite one. 

This supplement saved my physical health and my sanity. I have learned that emotional healing after loss can’t take place if you are physically depleted. You simply won’t have the physical capacity to do the deep emotional work. That’s why I recommend it to EVERYONE. I simply don’t know how I would have made it through without it. I still use it today when I need extra emotional TLC.

5. My 5 Grief Myths Ebook – Are you still confused about what to expect after loss? Are you getting mixed messages? Have you been told grief is forever? Download this FREE Grief Guide to discover the grief myths you might not realize are keeping you stuck in your pain and learn you the truths that will set you free to heal your heart after loss.

What have you found helpful to you in your grief? 

Please leave a comment or send me an email to Rachel@thegriefgal.com and tell me about it. I’d love to know.