Products I Recommend for the Grieving

Books I Found Aided My Grief Journey

I accessed many different types of mediums to help me find my way through the devastating loss of my husband. Below I have documented some of the books I found most helpful.

Gary Sturgis -Surviving: Finding Your Way from Grief to Healing

As a widow, I found Gary Sturgis's book to be incredibly helpful as I navigated the devastating experience of losing my spouse. Gary knows this pain firsthand, having gone through it himself after becoming a widower in his early 50s.

In the book, Gary shares intimate details of the personal stages he encountered on his grief journey - the profound sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, and heartache that consumed him. But he also reveals how he eventually progressed from deep anguish to healing and living with joy, happiness, and peace again.

Gary uses his path to healing as a reference, combined with lessons learned as a healthcare professional and volunteer grief counsellor. Throughout the book, he offers reassuring guidance and comforting advice to those travelling on our grief journeys.

The death of a loved one is life-changing, making the world feel anything but "normal." But Sturgis's book has shown me that it is possible to move forward and honour our loved ones, even after the most profound loss. I'm grateful to have his wisdom and empathy to lean on as I continue on this challenging but ultimately healing process.

Megan Devine -It's OK That You're Not OK

As a widow, I've found great solace in the wisdom of Megan Devine's book, "It's OK That You're Not OK." Devine speaks directly to the painful reality that when a life-shattering event upends your world, there is nothing wrong with the following grief.

Grief, she says, is "love in its most wild and painful form" - a natural and sane response to loss. Yet our culture often treats grief like a disease to be cured as quickly as possible. Devine debunks these harmful myths, inviting us instead to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it.

Through personal stories, research, and practical guidance, Devine offers a profound new approach to the experience of grief. She teaches us how to manage stress, improve sleep, and decrease anxiety without trying to "fix" the pain. Most importantly, she provides invaluable insight on how to support and comfort others who are grieving.

As someone who has endured the devastating loss of my spouse, I've felt judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants a quick solution. Devine's words have been a lifeline, reassuring me that my grief is not a problem to solve, but a natural response to be honored. I'm deeply grateful for this book and its permission to navigate my loss in my own time and on my own terms.

Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn - Good Mourning: Honest conversations about grief and loss

Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn connected after experiencing the sudden deaths of their mothers just months apart. While their loss was different from mine, I found their open and honest approach to mourning refreshing.

Mary France O'Connor - The Grieving Brain

As a widow, The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD, gave me many insights into why grief feels the way it does. Dr. O'Connor, a neuroscientist who has studied how our brains deal with loss, shares groundbreaking explanations for what happens in our minds when we're grieving.

This book made the complex science easy to grasp, showing me how our brains are wired to form deep attachments and why it's so hard for our minds to adjust when a loved one is gone. Dr. O'Connor explores why accepting loss is challenging, why grief stirs intense emotions, and why the process takes time. She also explains the difference between regular and prolonged grief, helping me understand why I sometimes feel stuck and revisiting memories as I try to move forward.

With stories, science, and practical advice, The Grieving Brain helped me understand what I was going through. It showed me that grieving is a journey our brains are built to handle, even if the process is often surprising and challenging.

Gary Sturgis - Surviving Grief - 365 Days of the Year

After losing my husband, I found that grief was an all-consuming, life-changing experience that reshaped every part of my world. The loneliness, waves of pain, and endless questions became my new reality. Desperately seeking help to navigate this new life, I came across Surviving Grief - 365 Days a Year by Gary Sturgis.

This book isn't just a guide but a gentle, daily companion filled with comforting reflections. Each day, I read a short passage that resonates with where I am in the journey - some days lifting me with hope, others validating the heartache. Grief is unpredictable and often overwhelming, but this book has become a part of my morning ritual, a steady, grounding force.

Gary's words give me the courage to keep going, and even on the most challenging days, they provide a sense of comfort that makes each step more bearable. Surviving Grief - 365 Days a Year has been a life preserver for me as I learn to live with my loss. I'm grateful to have it by my side, offering strength and support.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler - On Grief and Grieving

After losing my husband, I struggled to make sense of the overwhelming emotions I was facing. I’d heard of the five stages of grief, but it wasn’t until I read On Grief and Grieving by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler that I found real comfort in them. Though sometimes debated, the stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—helped me understand my own unpredictable waves of grief.

This book didn’t force a rigid path but instead offered a gentle guide through the tangled emotions of loss. The stories, reflections, and practical advice reminded me that isolation, sadness, and even strange dreams are part of the process. It made me feel understood and less alone, bringing comfort and a sense of acceptance in one of the hardest chapters of my life.

Products I Found Aided My Grief Journey

So many parts of our widow lives are impacted by our loss, and healing our minds and bodies becomes paramount. Below are some products I bought to ease my life and heal my mind and body.

Air Fryer - COSORI Clear Window Air Fryer, 6.5 Quart

Purchasing an air fryer was a game-changer for me. I struggled to find the motivation to cook for myself and knew that nourishing my body was critical to my healing journey.

Grieving is exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Having an air fryer in my kitchen has been a lifesaver, simplifying mealtimes and supporting my overall well-being. I highly recommend this appliance to any other widows navigating the complexities of grief.

When you're in the throes of grief, the thought of cooking a whole meal can feel overwhelming. Air fryers make it easy to prepare delicious, healthy meals with minimal effort quickly. You toss your ingredients, set the timer, and let the air fryer do the work. This takes the stress and burden out of mealtimes.

I liked this Cosori for its size, particularly the window that allowed me to view my food as it cooked.

Fitted Grounding Sheets Certified Organic Cotton

As a grieving widow, I have found the TierOne Home Grounding Sheet invaluable in my healing journey. Grounding helps reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and provide a sense of calm—all crucial for the grieving mind and body.

After initial scepticism, I noticed a significant difference. The sheet alleviated my muscle tension, headaches, and anxiety. It has also improved my sleep quality and quantity, boosting my mood and energy. Beyond the physical benefits, the grounding sheet has been a powerful tool for emotional regulation, helping me find clarity and calm when overwhelmed by grief.

The well-made, durable, and easy-to-use sheet has become integral to my daily self-care routine. I highly recommend it to other grieving widows as an invaluable resource to navigate this profound journey.

Cervical Neck Pillow King Size Ergonomic for Pain Relief

After losing my spouse, I struggled with persistent neck, shoulder, and back pain, adding to the emotional weight of grief. Relief felt out of reach until a friend suggested the Cervical Neck Pillow.

I was amazed by the difference it made after just a few nights. Its contoured design cradles my neck aligns my spine, and eases my muscle pain, leading to better sleep and a deeper sense of restoration.

The pillow not only alleviates physical discomfort but also frees up mental and emotional energy for processing my grief. Made from high-quality memory foam, it provides custom support.

I highly recommend the Cervical Neck Pillow to other grieving widows seeking physical relief and emotional resilience. It’s been a true game-changer in my healing journey.

Crockpot Manual 3-Quart Slow Cooker, Silver

After becoming a widow, I discovered that this compact 3-quart slow cooker became an unexpected source of comfort and practical support in my journey toward a new normal. Its smaller size is perfect for one or two servings, eliminating the painful reminder of cooking larger meals and preventing food waste.

What made this slow cooker special for me:

• The perfect single-portion size means I can still enjoy homemade, nutritious meals without overwhelming leftovers

• Simple one-touch controls helped when decision-making felt difficult

• The lightweight design makes it easy to handle and clean

• Coming home to the gentle aroma of a prepared meal provided a sense of care and routine when I needed it most

If you're cooking for one or going through a life transition, this slow cooker offers just the right balance of convenience and care. It helped me maintain healthy eating habits during a challenging time, and I hope it can support you too.

Features:

• 3-quart capacity

• Dishwasher-safe ceramic pot

• Low/High/Warm settings

• Glass lid for easy monitoring

• Compact footprint for smaller kitchens

Panasonic NN-SN68KS Compact Microwave Oven

I didn't own a microwave oven before my husband died. He was an environmental scientist and he objected to microwaves due to their carbon dioxide emissions. When he died I struggled to eat properly, I just lack motivation. On the odd occasion when I had the energy I reasoned that batch cooking and reheating in a microwave would be a good idea.

So, I bought this Panasonic. It is more than just a kitchen appliance; for those navigating the profound loss of a life partner, it offers a helping hand during a time of emotional and physical exhaustion. With 1200 watts of power, Sensor Cooking, Turbo Defrost, and one-touch convenience features like the Popcorn Button and Quick 30-second setting, this microwave encouraged me to nourish myself even on difficult days when cooking would feel overwhelming.

The sleek stainless steel design of this 1.2 cu. ft. microwave makes it a stylish addition to my kitchen, blending form and functionality to support me in finding comfort and ease during mealtime. For many in grief, meal preparation may feel like an insurmountable task. This Panasonic microwave ensures that even the simplest meals can be prepared with minimal effort, allowing me to prioritise self-care without adding to my stress.

For those whose grief journey includes reconciling with lifestyle changes, this particular microwave provides a gentle, reliable solution to reclaim some autonomy over daily routines. With its versatility and efficiency, this microwave is more than a tool—it’s a quiet ally that makes self-care achievable, even on the hardest days.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker

This versatile 7-in-1 appliance combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yoghurt making, steaming, sautéing, and food warming in one device.

With 13 customizable Smart Programs, you can effortlessly prepare dishes like ribs, soups, rice, and desserts at the touch of a button.

Pressure cooking can make meals up to 70% faster, or you can enjoy the slow-cooked flavours of traditional recipes. This was the game changer for me: Rice cooked in a few minutes.

Its stainless-steel, fingerprint-resistant design ensures easy cleaning and dishwasher-safe components provide convenience. Safety is a priority, and the pot features over ten protective elements, including overheating protection and a safe-locking lid.

Perfect for meal prep, the food-grade stainless-steel pot ensures even cooking and is ideal for sautéing. Explore delicious meal ideas with the free Instant Brands Connect App for iOS and Android.