Grief Changes Your Body—Here’s How
Here’s the number one reason you feel exhausted all the time after a loss.
Hi, I’m Philip. I help people navigate grief and rebuild a life that feels meaningful after loss.
What Grief Does to Your Body (It's More Than You Think)
Ever feel like grief lives in your chest?
Like you can’t breathe deeply? Like your stomach aches or your shoulders feel tight?
That’s not just in your head.
It’s in your nervous system.
When someone you love dies, your body goes into survival mode.
It activates the fight, flight, or freeze response—even if the danger has already passed.
This causes:
Shallow breathing
Tense muscles (especially in the chest, neck, and stomach)
Digestive issues
Exhaustion and brain fog
You’re not just tired. You’re grieving. Physically.
Real Talk: It Feels Like an Elephant Is Sitting on Your Chest
You’ve probably heard people say:
“I can’t catch my breath.”
“It feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest.”
“There’s a pit in my stomach.”
These aren’t just metaphors. They’re real physiological responses to grief.
Your body is literally holding your pain.
And that pressure you feel?
That tightness? That heaviness?
It’s your body trying to protect you—even though the loss already happened.
Why Understanding This Matters for Healing
Most people don’t realize grief shows up in the body first.
If you feel:
Tight in your chest
Sick to your stomach
Exhausted no matter how much you sleep
It’s not just anxiety or stress.
It’s grief.
And the first step to healing isn’t “getting over it.”
It’s understanding what’s happening inside you.
Once you know what’s going on, you can begin to:
Release the tension
Soothe your nervous system
Feel safe in your body again
You’re Not Alone in This
Grief can make you feel isolated—like nobody else gets it.
But if you’ve felt this kind of pain in your body, you’re far from alone.
👇 Drop a comment if any of this sounds familiar.
Let’s normalize the physical symptoms of grief—so fewer people suffer in silence.
