What Are the Physical Symptoms of Grief?

Grief isn’t just emotional—it can take a toll on your body, causing fatigue, chest pain, and heart issues.

Grief is often associated with emotional pain, but many people don’t realize how deeply it affects the body. When coping with the loss of a loved one, the body can experience a range of physical symptoms, from chest pain to digestive issues. Whether it’s acute grief, complicated grief, or anticipatory grief, the grieving process can lead to significant physical effects that mirror the intensity of our emotions.

Grief doesn’t just weigh on your heart—it impacts your entire body. Understanding these grief symptoms can help you navigate the challenges of loss and seek support when needed.

The science behind how grief shows up in your body

The connection between grief and the body is rooted in biology. When experiencing intense grief, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can contribute to a range of physical discomforts. These stress responses can lead to physical pain and inflammation and even impact heart health.

In fact, research from the American Heart Association highlights that some bereaved people, especially bereaved spouses, may face an increased risk of heart attack or heart disease following a significant loss. In severe cases, grief response can trigger broken heart syndrome—a temporary but serious heart condition that mimics a cardiac event.

Common physical symptoms of grief

Studies show that grief response triggers measurable changes in the body. Researchers have found that grief manifests differently for everyone, but here are some of the most common symptoms that a grieving person may experience:

1. Fatigue and exhaustion

Many bereaved people feel constantly drained. The mental and emotional toll of grief can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. This exhaustion can be linked to stress hormone fluctuations and the body’s struggle to process intense emotions.

2. Sleep disturbances

The grieving process can cause early bereavement sleep issues such as insomnia, hypersomnia, and nightmares. Some grieving people struggle to fall asleep, while others sleep excessively as a way to escape emotional pain.

3. Changes in appetite and digestion

Grief affects the digestive system in different ways. Some people experience stomach pain, nausea, or a complete loss of appetite, while others turn to food for comfort. Prolonged grief can contribute to long-term digestive problems due to chronic stress.

4. Aches, pains, and tension

Grief-related stress can manifest as joint pain, physical pain, headaches, and body aches. The tension caused by emotional distress can lead to physical discomfort, making movement and daily activities more challenging.

5. Weakened immune system

The stress of bereavement can lower immune function, making bereaved parents and others more vulnerable to colds, infections, and slower healing. Prolonged grief disorder can further compromise immunity due to the chronic presence of stress hormones in the body.

6. Heart-related symptoms

Severe grief can strain the heart, sometimes leading to chest pain, high blood pressure, or even broken heart syndrome. According to the American Heart Association, the emotional shock of loss can temporarily weaken the heart muscle, creating symptoms similar to a heart attack.

7. Panic attacks and anxiety

Grief can cause panic attacks, characterized by shortness of breath, dizziness, and racing heartbeats. This is often linked to the body’s heightened stress response following a traumatic loss.

Coping with the physical effects of grief

Taking care of your body during bereavement is essential. While grief can feel overwhelming, there are ways to ease the physical symptoms:

• Prioritize rest and nutrition by maintaining a routine with nourishing foods and adequate hydration
• Make time for gentle movement, which can help reduce physical discomfort and improve overall well-being
• Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation to regulate stress and reduce tension in the body

Professional support for grief

Grief is more than just an emotional experience—it takes a toll on the body, leading to common symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, and physical discomfort. Whether you’re experiencing acute grief, prolonged grief, or anticipatory grief, understanding how grief affects the body can help in navigating the healing process.

If grief symptoms persist or worsen, seeking medical and emotional support is crucial. A grief counselor or support group can help process emotions and navigate normal grief, prolonged grief disorder, or disenfranchised grief. The impact of grief on the body is real, but healing is possible with time, care, and support.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with grief, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for people dealing with serious mental health conditions, including both the emotional and physical symptoms of grief. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With support, managing your mental health and healing from grief is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.