Whether it’s after the death of a loved one and their cremation service in Sandy, UT or a breakup, death of pet, or some other loss, everyone will experience loss at some point in their life. Loss and subsequent grief are to be expected, but oftentimes people do not expect the physical effects of grief.
What happens in your body when you’re grieving? How does grief manifest physically? Continue reading if you want to understand more about what grief can do to your body.
- Why There Are Physical Symptoms of Grief – Grief can lead to a wide range of physical health problems, such as indigestion and gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular problems and chest pain, sleeplessness, headaches, inflammation and joint pain, and more. Your body is under a lot of stress when you’re grieving, which is why people often suffer from these symptoms.
- Grief Can Make You Tired – From sleepless nights, nightmares, and fatigue to a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, grief has a big impact on sleep. To curb some of these symptoms, avoid napping during the day, limit your screen time before bed, cut back on caffeine, and create a bedtime ritual to help your body wind down. You can also talk to your doctor about sleep aids. Grief-stricken people are exhausted people. You may have never felt this tired before and might even consider that you are coming down with the flu. This is normal. Be sure to take care of yourself and put your needs first. You can’t recover without self-care.
- Holding Grief in the Body – Some people believe grief is held in certain places in the body, such as the lungs and large intestines. Others feel grief is held in the heart, hence the phrase “heartache.”
- The Impact of Grief on the Brain – Grief can affect the brain, often causing a condition colloquially referred to as “grief brain.” This condition impacts memory, comprehension, and concentration. Grief has such a big impact on the brain because your brain becomes overloaded with stress and sadness after a loss, which then triggers stress responses that manifest as mental symptoms after a prolonged period of time. “Grief brain” will affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. It may last a few days, weeks, or even months. But eventually, it will fade.
- The Impact of Grief on Decision Making – Because of the extended stress your body is exposed to after a loss, grief can impact your decision-making skills, making you less efficient or even more likely to make choices you wouldn’t otherwise. That is why experts advise the bereaved avoid big choices or life-altering decisions during grief, like changing jobs, moving far away, or something similar. Wait at least six months after a loss to make big decisions.
No matter how grief affects you and your body, you will get through it. Healing might happen in its own time, but it will happen. If you want more information about getting through grief and a Sandy, UT cremation service, we are here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more.
