The Physical Effects of Grief & How to Deal with Them

By: Vaughn Greene Funeral Services
Wednesday, September 26, 2018

“Grief is love.” – David Kessler

If you've recently experienced the passing of a loved one, you're well aware of the impact grief has on your quality of life.

There’s simply no way to anticipate what grief feels like. It’s one of those experiences that you can describe to someone but it’s impossible to truly understand it until you have to deal with it yourself. Most people foresee the emotional rollercoaster that comes with grief, but grief doesn’t just manifest as emotional symptoms, it also involves physical symptoms. They can be frustrating and even frightening, but they’re normal. Here are some common physical grief symptoms along with helpful tips for managing them:

Fatigue.
You may feel run down or exhausted all the time. Ironically, when you try to sleep you may not be able to, only worsening your fatigue. Or maybe you’re getting plenty of sleep but it’s not restful due to the constant emotional strain. *Tip: Make sure your sleeping quarters are actually focused on sleeping. For starters, this includes blocking out as much light as possible at night, using earplugs and/or an eye mask, keeping the temperature between 66-70 degrees and leaving your cell phone in another room.

Headaches.
The most common source of headaches is stress and grief is one huge stressor.  The constant tension that comes with grief can be a source of chronic headaches. *Tip: Often, muscle tension is the source of grief-induced headaches, so you need to find a way to relax. Take a walk in the park or get a massage. You might listen to soothing music or read a book. Find out what activity relaxes you and do more of it.

Body aches and pains.
It’s not uncommon for people to describe generalized muscle aches when grieving. You are experiencing the weight of a constant stress, you are fatigued, you may not be sleeping, and your body is tense. *Tip: Work on body relaxation. Things like meditation, massages, and stretching can be helpful. Avoid self-medicating with drugs and alcohol when physical pain is increased, and instead consider alternative therapies like acupuncture, biofeedback, and talk therapy.

Tightness in the chest.
This can be associated with cardiac issues, so be sure to see a doctor if it’s severe or chronic. But a more generalized sense of tightness or shortness of breath can come with anxiety, a common grief reaction. *Tip: Check out tips for coping with anxiety in grief, as well as some general relaxation approaches like meditation and deep breathing exercises.  

When you're bereaved, it's easy to discount or ignore these symptoms altogether. That’s not a good idea because disregarding your physical symptoms of grief will inevitably lengthen your bereavement. If you have questions or need additional help dealing with your symptoms of grief, please reach out to us anytime. We’re always here for you.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

The Rules of Visitation Etiquette: Eight Tips for Being a Polite Funeral Guest

When attending a funeral or memorial service, it's crucial to understand the protocols, including proper visitation etiquette. Funeral visitations and wakes can be emotionally taxing, but they off...

National Craft Month: How Tapping Into Your Creative Side Helps Your Mental Health

March is National Craft Month and studies show a strong connection between our mental health and our creativity. The benefits of crafting range from decreased stress, improved brain productivity,...

A Practical Guide to Selecting Burial Clothes with Love and Reverence

Choosing burial clothes for a loved one can be a tender act of remembrance and profound significance. Navigating loss is a challenging experience on many levels. Despite the weight of grief, numer...

Ten Easy, Creative Ways to Add More Produce to Your Diet

Few things can enhance health and wellness like striving to add more produce to your diet. Bursting with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, produce is nature's gift to our bodi...

Your Guide to Understanding Cremation: Seven Fascinating Myths and the Truth Behind Them

Understanding cremation reveals countless misconceptions about the ancient practice. Cremation has been around for centuries but it remains surrounded by mystery. You might be surprised to know th...

Reflecting on Black History Month, The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

During Black History Month, we celebrate African Americans and the role they have played in building this country, as well as recognize their achievements. Diversity and inclusion are essential in...

Need an Alternative to Traditional Funeral Flowers? Here are Eight Smart Options.

Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional funeral flowers have emerged as a growing trend in end-of-life services. As more people become conscious of their environmental impact, they are seeking wa...

Winter Heart Attacks: Why They’re More Common and How to Avoid Them

The colder months bring more than just frosty weather—they also bring a greater chance of winter heart attacks. The winter season is usually associated with cozy blankets, warm fires, and snowy ou...

Condolence Messages: How to Find the Right Words at a Difficult Time

It’s very common to have a hard time finding the right words when composing condolence messages. Whether you are posting to an online sympathy board or sending your condolences by mail, knowing wh...

Looking to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day 2024? Here Are Five Inspiring Ideas.

Martin Luther King Day is an annual celebration of Dr. King’s immeasurable contributions. Celebrated in the United States on the third Monday of January, the holiday is a time when the nation paus...