How Grief Affects the Body

Grief is an emotion that no one wants to experience, but unfortunately, it is inevitable. There’s no one way you’ll experience grief or one cause of it. It’s something that occurs and manifests differently for everyone.

According to the Mayo Clinic, grief is a strong and often overwhelming emotion stemming from sadness as a result of loss. Loss can include, but is not limited to, the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, medical diagnosis, or divorce.

Throughout this article, we will discuss different types of grief and how it can impact someone physically.

Different Types of Grief

By understanding what you’re going through, you can get yourself on the best path forward with the tools and resources to process your grief.

Abbreviated grief

This happens when you quickly move through the grieving process. It does not mean you didn’t care about the loss or you’re a bad person. Sometimes, grief takes less time than others.

Anticipatory grief

In some cases, you grieve before a person has passed. This can happen when you know a loved one has a terminal illness or you’re able to prepare for a major life event mentally. When that occurs, you’re starting the grieving process in anticipation of the loss.

Cumulated grief

Cumulated grief occurs when you do not have time to process one loss before another occurs. The losses come in rapid succession and don’t leave time to heal from the initial loss.

Delayed grief

Sometimes, you feel grief for weeks, months, and even years after a loss. For some, the shock of the loss puts you in “autopilot mode,” and you work through what you need to without realizing the impact of what’s happened. This can delay the grieving process and the feeling that it hits all at once.

How Grief Impacts the Body

It’s common to think about how grief impacts you mentally and emotionally but not how it can impact your physical well-being. While grieving, many people will experience body aches, disruption to their digestive system, and other physical ailments that are directly impacted by stress and grief. Physical examples of grief include:

Physical pain

Many people find themselves suffering from headaches and chest pains after grief. This is due to cortisol being released during stress, which contributes to the aches and pains you may be feeling. It can cause muscles to tense up, leading to discomfort throughout the body.

Suffering from fatigue

This is a frequent symptom that occurs during grief. Many people will find themselves ruminating or struggling with having quiet moments while grieving. It’s not uncommon for people to have both mental and emotional exhaustion because grief can feel overwhelming at times. Studies have shown that feelings of exhaustion and lack of strength are universal. It’s common for people to feel that all efforts feel exhausting, and doing things they normally did now feels daunting.

Weight changes

It’s not uncommon for people to go through weight loss or weight gain while they’re grieving. Throughout this process, people can lose their appetite, or they can find themselves binge eating to cope with stress.

Changes in sleeping patterns

Sleeping problems, such as insomnia or oversleeping, can persist during the grief phase. It’s not uncommon that sleeping issues last longer than other physical symptoms. Some people may find themselves unable to sleep, or when they do, it’s not enough sleep or a high-quality level of sleep. Conversely, some people may find themselves only wanting to sleep and unable to get out of bed and be active.

If you’re struggling with grief after loss, there are resources that can help. Consider speaking to a therapist, and please reach out today to learn more about grief counseling.