Grief and Your Health [Bulletin date: March 16, 2025]
It is easy to understand the emotional effects of grief, but did you know that it also affects our physical health?
After the loss of a loved one, we may notice issues with sleep; either difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or possibly sleeping too much. A feeling of ongoing fatigue may also occur. These may in turn affect our ability to think clearly or to physically function during waking hours.
When we grieve,
our body releases the stress hormone cortisol. This may cause digestive issues of the
stomach or colon, as well as joint pain, back pain, or headaches. This hormonal change in our bodies may also affect
our hearts by increasing our heart rate, trigger sharp chest pain, or make it
difficult to breathe. If this happens,
it is important to seek medical attention.
This response could be what is called the broken heart syndrome
and while it most likely will not lead to serious heart damage, it should be
evaluated.
The stress of grief lessens our body’s ability to fight infection and illness. It may trigger our immune system to overwork, resulting in swelling or inflammation. Infection and inflammation may seriously affect our overall health, especially if pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or cancer are present. This effect may become more severe if grief is prolonged.
While grieving, it is important to maintain regular eating and sleeping schedules. Keep active by exercising or taking daily walks and stay connected with friends and family. Finally, consider speaking to a grief professional or joining a bereavement support group to help you during this difficult time.
Pastoral Care Director,
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