How Grief Shows Up in The Body: The Physical Symptoms of Loss

When my grandmother died, I went through what people might consider the “typical” grief process. I was depressed, then angry, denied it, bargained, then accepted, and I went through all of those stages over and over again. Just when I had about hit my emotional breaking point, I started getting headaches and intense fatigue. I figured I was catching a cold, or that I was overworking myself in school. However, I began noticing a pattern: the physical symptoms I was experiencing intensified whenever I was in periods of significant grief. Cleaning out my grandmother’s room, attending her funeral, helping my grandpa move out of their house – those are the times I felt my body giving out on me the most. I felt so surprised when I made the connection of the pattern; why would my body be reacting so physically to something that I thought was only emotional?

It’s likely that in your lifetime, you will experience some form of loss. Whether it be a loved one, a pet, or even a job, grief is a natural, expected human experience. When we think about grief, we often think about the thoughts and feelings that accompany it – the emotional symptoms. Sadness, longing, heartbreak, and feeling overwhelmed are all the typical hallmarks that indicate someone has experienced a loss. However, grief isn’t just emotional, and can show up in our bodies in surprising ways. The physical symptoms of grief are less talked about and are often overshadowed by the emotional impact that comes with experiencing loss. Physical symptoms may include shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, weight gain or loss, and fatigue (GoodRx). Like emotional symptoms, physical symptoms often come in waves, and no one experiences them quite the same way.

As it turns out, the brain and the body have a far stronger connection to each other than many people think. The emotional toll that grief takes on your mind inadvertently impacts the body as well. Large amounts of stress and the shock of a loss can release chemicals and weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to ailments. That’s why your appetite might be gone, or why you seem to get headaches and a stuffy nose all the time. Experiencing a loss also releases the stress hormone cortisol, which activates the fight or flight response and causes heart racing, sweating, and quick breathing (GoodRx). Cortisol can be released well after the loss, especially when doing things related to grief, as mentioned earlier. Similarly, increased stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other heart-related issues. It has been found that the week after a death, widows have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular issues (Weeden & Reilly, 2025). Physical fatigue can also result from bearing a heavy mental load. The brain-body connection goes beyond just our minds sending neurons to tell us which muscle to move. It’s a fortified connection in which they continually impact one another.

Just because physical symptoms can occur during grief doesn’t mean they will. When my grandmother died, my twin sister didn’t experience any physical symptoms the way I did. The physical symptoms fluctuate and come and go just as much as the emotional symptoms do (MedicalNewsToday). It’s helpful to incorporate self-care during times of grief, for the benefit of the mind and the body. Taking care of yourself in times of loss can be difficult, but it’s still important to try, as keeping yourself healthy may help offset the more intense grieving symptoms (MedicalNewsToday). Time is a great healer, however if you find yourself still experiencing significant grief symptoms, whether they be physical or emotional, and well after the loss has occurred, it could be a good time to reach out for help.

Grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline, and it doesn’t just live in our emotions — it can settle into our bodies in quiet, persistent ways. If you’re noticing physical changes as you grieve, know that you’re not alone and there’s nothing wrong with you. Your body is responding to something very real.

Be patient with yourself. Rest when you need to, move when it feels right, and reach out for support if things feel too heavy to carry alone. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to take that time—both emotionally and physically.