How Grief Affetcs Your Body
Think grief is just sadness? Let me hit you with the science.
When my son died, people told me to ‘take care of myself’—but no one told me what grief actually does to your body.
Within 24 hours of a major loss, your risk of a heart attack goes up by 21% – American Heart Association.
If you're grieving the loss of a spouse? You're 20 to 30% more likely to die within six months – Harvard Medical School.
70 to 80% of grieving people experience insomnia – NIH.
Grief lowers your immune response by 35% – UCLA Health.
It increases inflammation by 53%, which is linked to chronic illness – Harvard again.
50% of grieving people experience depression – APA.
Grief doesn’t just break your heart. It affects your immune system, your brain, your sleep, your entire body.
If you’re grieving and feel like you’re falling apart—it’s not in your head. It’s in your nervous system, your cells, your sleep, your breath.
This is why healing takes time. This is why you need grace.
Save this for when people don’t get what you’re going through.
Drop a 💔 in the comments if you’ve felt any of this.
And if you’re new here—hit follow. I make content for people learning to live after loss.
