368. How to Cope with Intense Grief After Losing a Spouse

What actually helps when you're in the middle of acute grief and every day feels impossible? In this episode, I continue my two-part series on acute grief by sharing 10 practical strategies that supported me and the thousands of widows I've coached. My goal isn't to help you avoid grief, but to make the early days feel a little less overwhelming and a little more manageable. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/373 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

What if some of the most frightening parts of acute grief are actually completely normal? In this episode, I begin a two-part series on acute grief by sharing ten things I wish someone had told me after my husband died. My goal isn't to make acute grief hurt less, but to help you stop wondering if you're grieving "wrong" when your mind and body respond in ways you never expected. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/372 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode: Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here

Have you heard the term widow fire and wondered what it actually means or whether something is wrong with you if you've experienced it? In this episode, I unpack one of the most misunderstood experiences in widowhood and explain why widow fire is far more common than many widows realize. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/371 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

What if loneliness isn't caused by being alone? In this episode, I explore one of the most common experiences in widowhood: loneliness. I share why loneliness can feel so overwhelming after losing a spouse, why you can feel lonely even in a room full of people, and how understanding what loneliness really is can completely change the way you respond to it. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/370 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

How do you keep living after a traumatic loss changes everything in an instant?In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Kaydee Castricone, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing both her husband and daughter in a devastating car accident that also left her youngest son critically injured. Kaydee shares what helped her most, including somatic tools, coaching, community support, and learning to hold both joy and pain at the same time.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/369 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

Join us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand.Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm CentralClick here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live

Have you ever wondered if your grief is too intense, lasting too long, or somehow a sign that you’re doing something wrong? In this episode, I talk about what it really means to cope with intense grief after losing a spouse and why so many widows unintentionally make grief harder by judging themselves for how they’re grieving. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/368 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

What if tapping could help you stay present with grief without feeling completely overwhelmed by it? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Judith Lysaker to talk about how tapping became an unexpected but powerful part of her grief journey after the sudden death of her husband, Paul. Join us this week as we discuss the early days of grief, the importance of community, and how writing and tapping helped Judith navigate the disorientation of loss. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/367 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode: Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here

Are you exhausted by the nonstop mental load of solo parenting after loss, even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, I talk about the emotional, mental, and nervous system impact of solo parenting in widowhood and why so many widows feel overwhelmed in ways that rest alone doesn’t fix. Join me this week to hear how solo parenting after loss affects executive functioning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and nervous system capacity. You’ll learn practical ways to reduce the mental load of solo parenting through systems, simplified decisions, community support, age-appropriate responsibility for kids, and intentional rest. This episode is a compassionate reminder that overwhelm is not failure, and you were never meant to carry all of this alone. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/366 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

In this episode, I share six powerful lessons I wish someone had told me after I became a widow and the guidance I now give widows as a grief coach. Tune in this week as I talk about the difference between consuming grief content and actually doing the work of healing. I explain why self-compassion matters, why getting the right support and tools is essential, and how widows often stay stuck waiting to feel ready before taking action toward the life they want. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment after grief is possible, and you deserve support getting there. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/365 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode: Check Out Widow We Do Now? Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!You're Invited to Grief Essentials LIVEJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins August 4 – September 22, Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live Join us for Grief Essentials Live here