What Does Grief Do To Your Body?
If you have ever experienced the loss of a family member or loved one, then you are probably well aware of the emotional toll grief can do to you. But believe it or not, grief can also have several physical effects on your body that you may not recognize. Experiencing physical symptoms is common, and can have an enormous impact on your health if not recognized. Fortunately, just as quickly as physical problems caused by grief can come, they can also be treated and cured.
What are the Physical Symptoms of Grief?
Though grief can impact your body in many ways, some of the most common physical symptoms of grief are:
Heart Problems. The heartbreak of grief can cause a literal heart problem known as “takotsubo cardiomyopathy,” or broken heart syndrome. This condition causes a disruption of blood pumped to a section of the heart, resulting in symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and mimicking the action of a heart attack. This can also increase your chances of having a real heart attack later on. Though this condition is temporary and can be easily solved under a course of treatment, you should always consult with your doctor if these symptoms persist.
Weakened Immune System. Studies have found that adults experiencing grief could not maintain a healthy stress hormone balance, resulting in an immune system not producing enough, or the right kinds of white blood cells. Because of this, people were then more prone to infection, and less able to recover from things like the common cold or the flu.
Body Aches/Pains. Grief can cause an overwhelming amount of stress hormones to be released, stunning the muscles they come into contact with. This can cause pain in your back and joints, or cause headaches or stiffness.
Sleeping Issues. Insomnia and fatigue are extremely common symptoms of grief. Since sleep is when your brain relaxes and repairs itself, it can be even more exhausting to have issues sleeping on top of feeling anxious. Luckily, this issue can be easily fixed by a visit to the doctor, who can recommend the best course of treatment for this.
Digestive Issues. Your digestive tract can be sensitive during a time of grief, resulting in an upset stomach, loss of appetite, or nausea. Vice versa, some turn to food as a source of comfort during grief and may overeat or experience irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms are signs that you may benefit from professional mental health help.
Unhealthy Coping Tactics. Some people may feel helpless during a time of grief and can turn to drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol, the effects of which can have long-term, lasting effects on the body. Others may engage in self-harm or other high-risk behaviors. If you are experiencing these symptoms, reach out to a medical professional immediately for help.
Does Avoiding Symptoms of Grief Harm Your Health?
Yes! People who ruminate, or engage in negative and repetitive thoughts, are actively not seeking help. This is strongly associated with depression and can block out the natural abilities of the body and mind to heal itself from grief. In turn, this can cause fatigue, a weaker immune system, and inflammation. It is so important to seek help, both mentally and physically, during a time of grief, to ease the pain and boost your recovery. Seeking help does not necessarily mean professional help, either! It can be exercising, spending time with loved ones, or sleeping. Listen to your body, and do what you think is best to heal yourself in a healthy way.
Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery is here to support you during your time of loss. We are the ultimate provider of creating healing experiences in the Trinity, Florida community, and will be here for you every step of the way. We take pride in being able to provide you with the best and easiest service by taking on the burden of planning and executing your event, so you can spend more time with your loved ones. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at (813) 920-4241 or (727) 376-7824.
Sources:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-loss-hurts-6-physical-effects-of-grief-0520187
Comments
Post a Comment