How to Care for Yourself After a Loss: 5 Healing Tips for Grief & Emotional Numbness

Grief doesn’t always show up as tears. Sometimes, it feels like numbness, disconnection, or a sense of floating through your day with no energy or direction.

Whether you're grieving a loved one, healing from heartbreak, or letting go of a life you once imagined,  it’s hard to know how to care for yourself when you’re not even sure what you need.

Here are five gentle, grounding ways to care for yourself after a loss, even if you feel nothing at all.

 

1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Nothing

Feeling numb doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it’s your nervous system protecting you. You may not be ready to cry, talk, or even process what happened. That’s okay.

Try this: Instead of asking, “Why don’t I feel anything?”, ask “What would make me feel just 1% safer right now?”

Even one small act of comfort, like lying under a weighted blanket or drinking warm water,  is a step forward.

2. Wear What Helps You Feel Safe

Your clothing can act like a sensory anchor. Soft textures and warm layers can signal safety to your body, even if your mind is still catching up. This is especially helpful when you're emotionally numb and physical touch from others feels overwhelming.

Think about: what feels grounding against your skin? What helps you breathe more deeply?

HeartWear Co.Tip: Many in our community have shared how our Healing Hearts Hoodies became their safe place, a wearable hug during hard times.

3. Build a No-Pressure Routine

When you're grieving, even brushing your teeth can feel impossible. So instead of forcing a full routine, build one that asks less of you.

Try starting with:

• Morning: drink water, change into cozy clothes
• Evening: light a candle, turn off your phone 30 mins before bed

Repetition creates safety. Small rituals = emotional anchors.

4. Connect with What Feels Gentle, Not Demanding

Not all support feels supportive. Choose people, spaces, and activities that ask less of you right now. This might mean:

• Sitting outside for 5 minutes
• Journaling one sentence per day
• Listening to music that meets your mood (not forces a new one)

Healing doesn’t require you to be productive. It asks you to be present , gently, imperfectly.

5. Let Love Be Rewritten... Starting With You

Loss is a version of love. So is healing. So is choosing yourself.

Whether you're grieving someone else or rebuilding after losing part of yourself, remember: love doesn’t end, it shifts form. And it can show up in the way you wrap your body in safety, speak to yourself with compassion, or simply make it through another day.

The Love Loungewear Collection at HeartWear Co. was created for exactly this. A way to wear your healing. A reminder that self-love is a form of survival  and celebration.

Want More Support?

Download our Free Healing Guide — a gentle starting point if you're navigating grief, emotional numbness, or just trying to feel like yourself again.

FAQ 

What are simple ways to care for yourself after loss?

Start with hydration, rest, and routine. Wear soft, grounding clothing. Let yourself feel nothing without guilt. Healing is slow, and that’s okay.

Why do I feel numb after a breakup or death?

Numbness is a nervous system response to overwhelm. It’s how your body protects you when emotions are too much to process all at once.