The Physical Toll of Grief

We often think of grief in emotional terms like sadness, anger, regret, or guilt. While the emotional impact is real, our physical health also takes a toll during mourning. Grief is a time of stress. Prolonged stress wreaks havoc on physical functioning. Grievers commonly relate to cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and nervous troubles.

This post explores these symptoms to educate and normalize the physical manifestations of grief. Since the stress of grief does take a physical toll, it's recommended that all grievers get a wellness check. Get the support of a doctor to create a wellness plan for grief which may include seeing a licensed counselor. Better understanding grief through the counseling process can provide an emotional release aiding in relief for physical symptoms. Connect with Wingate Counseling to start your personalized grief journey!

Grief Stress

Someone you love dying is stressful! The early days of grief are emotional and usually very busy. During this time, our bodies respond by increasing stress hormones. This impacts overall functioning and health, making grievers more prone to sickness and physical symptoms. There is no complete list of every physical expression a griever might experience. We deal with stress differently, but here are some usual experiences to look for when grieving.

Cardiovascular

Losing a loved one hurts our hearts, literally! Being bereaved heightens the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular concerns. Grievers often complain of chest pains, shortness of breath, heart flutters, and symptoms of increased blood pressure. Additionally, grief can manifest as anxiety which adds stress to the body and impacts the cardiovascular system.

Digestive

For those who suffer from a sensitive tummy, the stress of grief can flare up as digestive concerns. Suffers of Irritable Bowle Syndrome know the significant impact of stress on their bodies. Digestive problems can present through various symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or nausea. Uncomfortable digestive symptoms may lead to grievers eating less or avoiding others when proper nutrition and social support are essential for wellbeing.

Immune

Stress wears down the immune system making grievers more susceptible to infections or other illnesses. When our bodies are run down, it's harder to stay healthy and takes more work to fight off illnesses. The stress of grief impacts physical health through heightened levels of inflammation. Inflammation can lead to tiredness, soreness, or other health complications. Many grievers report feeling exhausted, sore, and achy, almost flu-like. The prolonged stress of grief weakens the immune system making grief-related illnesses and fatigue linger longer than expected.

Nervous

Grief can have a major impact on the nervous system, AKA the brain! Grief disrupts our ability to focus, concentrate, remember, problem-solve, and make decisions. This is unfortunate since grievers usually have to make decisions quickly regarding funeral arrangements or estate matters. Grievers often report feeling disoriented, forgetful, or "losing their minds." The brain spends so much effort to process death that it likely has little room to take on more work. In the early months of grief, people commonly oscillate between shock and "brain fog" as their brain and body adjust to the new reality.

The Bottom Line

In addition to caring for the emotional response of grief, make sure to tend to your physical body as you mourn. Be aware of possible physical manifestations of grief and work with your doctor to get proper care during this difficult time. Everyone responds to grief differently; that's why a personalized approach is the most beneficial. It might seem complicated to care for yourself when you're already feeling so sad. Get support from trusted people in your life and professionals to support you on your grief journey. The road of grief is longer than any of us want to admit. My advice is to do all you can to support yourself for the tricky days ahead. Wingate Counseling is here to walk alongside you as you do the important work of grief.