Stress Awareness Month: Coping with Stress in Grief

Finding ways to manage stress does not mean avoiding grief

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognise the impact of stress on our wellbeing and explore ways to manage it. For those who are grieving, stress can feel overwhelming, manifesting in ways that affect both the mind and body.

When someone close dies, the emotional weight of loss can be compounded by practical challenges, unexpected reactions, and societal pressures.

Why Grief Can Be So Stressful

Stress in grief can arise from many sources. The physical effects of loss, such as exhaustion, disrupted sleep, and a weakened immune system, can make even simple tasks feel impossible. Emotionally, grief can bring intense sadness, anxiety, frustration, or guilt, creating a sense of emotional instability.

Socially, relationships may shift as others struggle to know what to say or how to support someone who is grieving. There may also be financial worries, legal matters to address, or the pressure to return to work before feeling ready. Each of these factors can contribute to a deep sense of stress, making grief an even heavier burden to carry.

Leading with Love in Grief

Coping with stress while grieving requires kindness—both from others and from ourselves. The theme of this year’s Stress Awareness Month, #leadwithlove, offers an important reminder. Grief is often met with expectations, whether self-imposed or from society, about how we should feel or behave.

Leading with love means allowing space for grief in whatever form it takes, rather than forcing it into a timeline or a set of rules. It means recognising that grief is a process, not a task to complete.

Stress Awareness Month: Ways to Manage Stress While Grieving

Finding ways to manage stress does not mean avoiding grief. It is about creating moments of relief amid the storm. Small, intentional actions can help. Paying attention to basic needs—rest, nutrition, movement—provides the body with a foundation to withstand emotional strain.

Speaking openly with trusted friends, family members, or professionals can offer support and help process emotions. Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or grounding exercises, can provide moments of calm when grief feels overwhelming. Writing down thoughts or feelings, whether through journalling or creative expression, can bring clarity and a sense of release.

Grief and Stress: You Don’t Have to Face It Alone

Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the hidden pressures that come with grief. While loss cannot be undone, stress can be eased through self-compassion, connection, and the understanding that grief does not have to be faced alone.

In leading with love, we give ourselves permission to grieve in a way that is honest, rather than controlled by expectation.

Our network of grief specialists is here to help. You can find them here griefspecialists.net.