The Physical Side of Grief

While grief floods the heart with emotions, it doesn’t stop there. Our bodies carry the weight of loss too. Sometimes the heart’s ache is mirrored in aching muscles, a racing pulse, or a fatigue that feels bone-deep. Just as grief is more than one emotion there is a physical side of grief. It’s more than an invisible wound—it’s a physical experience. To walk this journey well, we must learn to care for both the soul and the body, recognizing that they are deeply intertwined.

When most people think about grief, they focus on the emotional toll—the sadness, anger, and longing that weigh heavy on the heart. But grief doesn’t just live in our emotions; it also takes up residence in our bodies. The physical side of grief is real, and it can be just as exhausting as the emotional one. I never realized how much death and loss truly affects the physical part of us until I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office several months after Melanie ran ahead to Heaven.

Loss has a way of weaving itself into every fiber of our being. Our minds and bodies are deeply connected, so the emotional strain of grief often manifests physically. You might find yourself feeling unusually tired, even after a full night’s sleep. Or perhaps your sleep is restless, filled with vivid dreams that leave you waking more exhausted than when you went to bed.

Grief can also bring headaches, muscle tension, chest tightness, or a heaviness that feels almost unbearable. Some people notice changes in appetite—eating far less than normal, or turning to food for comfort. Others experience a racing heart, upset stomach, or waves of dizziness that seem to come out of nowhere.

These physical symptoms can be unsettling, especially when you don’t connect them immediately to your grief. But they are the body’s way of processing the stress and shock of loss. It’s your physical self, trying to carry the weight of what your heart is feeling.

This is why caring for your body during grief is essential. Rest when you need to, even if the world is telling you to “keep going.” Nourish yourself with food that sustains you. Get outside and breathe in fresh air. Move your body, even in gentle ways like stretching or walking. Small acts of care can help restore the strength that grief depletes.

Remember, your body is not betraying you – it’s simply speaking the language of loss. Listen to it with compassion. The healing of grief is not only an emotional and spiritual journey; it is a physical one too.