Grief is not only a mental and emotional process, but a physical one as well. Loss is an incredibly stressful event, and with stressors comes a physical and emotional response. When we are blindsided with the loss of a loved one, our brain triggers a flight-or-fight reaction to the confusion, pain and suffering we begin to experience.
The brain produces a hormone that prepares the body for battle – known as ACTH – and this is sent to the adrenal gland and causes a chemical reaction that produces cortisol.
Unfortunately, yet aptly, cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone’, and prolonged high levels of this hormone are known to have harmful effects on the body. Together, we will unpack the most common physical effects of grief and help you learn how to cope with them.
Physical Effects of Grief on the Body
There are a number of negative physical effects that grief can have on the body. Today, we are highlighting just four of the most common symptoms, but grief can have myriad adverse effects over and above the ones we have listed below.
Fatigue and insomnia may appear to be two opposing problems, but in fact they go hand in hand. When a grieving person is battling to sleep easily, and without waking throughout the night, it is possible that grief is interfering with their daily life. Without adequate sleep, a bereaved person can go on to develop chronic fatigue.
Irritability goes hand in hand with fatigue, and can drive a grieving person to feel as if they are losing their minds. The neurochemicals produced throughout grief are large contributors to irrational moods and uncontrollable irritability, which further drains the individual and leaves them run down and feeling alone.
Abdominal and chest pain is incredibly common after the loss of a loved one. The part of the brain that recognises emotional pain is situated very close to the part of the brain that interprets sensations and pain in the abdomen and stomach organ. When we are experiencing grief, sometimes the neurotransmissions fire into nearby areas, thus our emotional pain can manifest as physical abdominal pain and ‘heartache’.
Worsening medical conditions are another symptom of how grief affects the body. Existing medical conditions are known to either worsen, or take a lot longer to heal when the body is under the stress of grief. If you feel that an existing medical problem of yours is worsening or not improving during this time, it may be helpful to contact your general practitioner for advice.
How to Cope with the Physical Effects of Grief
Traumatic grief counsellor Joanna Cacciatore, PhD and associate professor of social work at Arizona State University has said that self-care is one of the most important ways to cope with the effects of grief. Dr Cacciatore says, “Sometimes remembering things as simple as eating well and drinking water can improve a person’s quality of life. Even getting twenty minutes of sunshine outside can help!”
In fact, spending time in the sun during the day helps to solidify your body’s circadian rhythm, and may allow you to sleep better at night. Follow a regular bedtime routine, even if you struggle to fall asleep, and remember to maintain a healthy diet to boost your immune system, maintain good hydration levels and give your body much-needed energy.
Loving Ashes regularly posts informative, helpful and interesting articles surrounding the topics of loss, grief, love, gratitude and memorial celebration. Check up on our blog page for these articles. Contact us for more information regarding our memorial orbs and how you can honour the memory of your loved one.
