Grief is a feeling we are all too familiar with. No one can escape this feeling. At best, it is that sharp, knife-like pain in your heart after getting a failing mark on a test you prepared so hard for. Sometimes, it is much worse. It is the persistent, and sometimes lifelong, aching in our hearts. When we yearn for the company of someone who we’ll never see again until the next life, it can be debilitating. It hits hard after the burial services of a loved one. At times, it even ebbs and flows like the waves long after the memorials are done.
Often, people who experience grief induced by the passing of a loved one feel immense grief. However, those who cannot properly process their intense emotions develop deeper mental and psycho-social health concerns. This includes depression, dissociation, and anxiety. These health concerns may present themselves in the sudden loss of self-confidence, inability to socialize, loss of focus, irritability, temper issues, and intense feelings of sadness.
Undoubtedly, grief puts a lot of stress on our mental health – this is a fact most people are aware of. However, many tend to forget that the effects of grief on our mental health also impact our physical health. These are the ways grief shows up in your body.
- Cardiovascular Problems
A “sad” movie staple is a scene of a heartbroken man or woman crying over the loss of their beloved. At times, the significant other even attempts to grab the casket because of denial and reluctance. Though it may seem theatrical, it is not unrealistic. Grief is capable of causing a “broken heart”. Extreme and prolonged levels of grief put a lot of stress on your heart, mind, and soul.
An individual who is too stressed might suffer from high blood pressure. It may also cause takotsubo cardiomyopathy, aka “broken heart syndrome,” where there is a disruption in blood flow to the heart. These health concerns can manifest themselves in shortness of breath, sudden chest pains, or pale limbs and face. Studies by doctors have shown that individuals suffering from this syndrome are more likely to experience a heart attack.
- Lowered Immunity
When the human body is subjected to too much stress, as is the case with prolonged and intense feelings of grief, it is more prone to catching all forms of illnesses. Science shows that stress is inversely proportional to your immunity. The more stress and discomfort you feel, the weaker your immune system.
Hence, grieving individuals are more likely to contract illnesses like the flu, colds, and other airborne illnesses. The stress hormone imbalance caused by grief shocks the body, so the system experiences a diminished neutrophil function. As a result, the body produces less white blood cells, weakening their immune system. Remember, WBC is responsible for fighting off infection.
- Body Aches and Pains
One of the most common physical signs of grief is body aches and pains. Grief is known to cause headaches, joint pain, and muscle stiffness. The body releases overwhelmingly large amounts of stress hormones, resulting in pain as it stuns the nerves and receptors. It is akin to working a long and nerve-wracking shift; you feel pain in your upper back, neck, shoulders, and other joints. While grieving, it is not unusual to feel body malaise. If these symptoms are prolonged, consider seeing a physician or physical therapist.
- Problems With The Digestive System
Another telltale sign of grief manifested in the body is digestive health issues. The intense amount of stress that the body goes through during the grieving process can cause:
- Indigestion
- Feelings of nausea or queasiness
- Stomach pain
- Appetite loss or binge eating
- Bowel issues (loose bowel movement, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome)
This health setback is particularly alarming as your body needs food to function properly. Unfortunately, grief makes it difficult to resume normal eating patterns. As such, prolonged grief can also cause anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders. Those who turn to emotional eating can become morbidly obese.
- Sleep Issues and Extreme Fatigue
Strong and prolonged feelings of grief are also the culprit of many sleeping problems. The stress can result in extreme fatigue and insomnia. Sleep disruption during the grieving process is highly uncomfortable. An individual may also feel anxious, sad, and spent. Sadly, lack of sleep can result in many health problems like increased blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, or diabetic shock.
Final Wrap Up
We have all experienced grief, so we share the collective knowledge of knowing it is a difficult path to navigate. If you know someone who is in this situation, as a human being, you must extend kindness, patience, and compassion. At times, little gestures like listening, giving a comforting hug, or sending food go a long way. If you yourself are struggling with grief, note that it is completely okay to seek help from family, friends, and even professionals. One thing is certain though grief can be ugly, it is so much easier to bear when there are people extending a helping hand along the way.