Why You Can’t Breathe After Loss
If it feels like there’s an elephant sitting on your chest—this is why.
Hey, I’m Philip. I help people navigate grief and live with purpose after loss. If that’s you—hit follow.
Grief literally changes the way you breathe.
Shallow breaths. Tight chest. That feeling like you can’t fully exhale?
That’s not just in your head—it’s in your nervous system.
When someone you love dies, your body goes into survival mode—fight, flight, or freeze.
Your brain can know they’re gone.
But your body still scans the world, asking—
Where are they? Are they safe? Are they coming home?
Even though the worst already happened, your body’s bracing for more.
That’s why you feel like you can’t relax. Can’t catch your breath. Can’t exhale.
It’s not just emotional—it’s biological.
The answer isn’t ‘just relax.
It’s learning how to soothe your body.
Slow your breath.
Ground your feet.
Be where you are.
If you’ve felt this—drop a 🖤 in the comments.
You’re not alone. You’re just grieving—and your body feels it too.
