admin
Dr Mazvita Machinga
Post Correspondent
GRIEF, just like many other emotions, is not just in one’s head but also shows up in the body in remarkable ways.
Unfortunately, most people have never been taught what is in the grieving process and how grief shows in one’s body.
This leaves some people stuck, spiraling through grief and pain.
When you learn how grief shows in your body, you can be best equipped to know how to work through it.
This article intends to remind us of the impact of grief on our body and how we can help ourselves feel better.
First, we all have brain, and the brain/mind is one of the organs that is impacted by grief a lot.
Let us focus on how grief shows up in the brain.
When you first hear of a loss of someone or something special to you, your brain essentially views this as a threat to your survival.
The brain then automatically triggers the body’s stress response, also known as the fight/flight response.
Grief is an intense stress.
People may fight, they may scream, yell, or get furious that someone is gone, some may just freeze, faint, some may flee or run away, some avoid talking or they go numb, mute.
Others just shut down completely.
This is so intense, especially if the loss is sudden and unexpected.
This initial response is so acute, but eventually it resolves.
Second, let us talk about how grief affects the heart as an organ.
Acute grief can lead to what is known as broken heart syndrome.
This syndrome distresses the heart.
The intense emotions and the adrenaline rush from the stress response mechanism can cause the heart to physically swell and be inflamed.
The heart can take an abnormal shape.
The heartbeat speeds up and this can cause physical strain on the heart and chest discomfort.
For many people, they can cope with this, but for others, you may need to visit your health care facility for help.
The day after the loss, some people may feel physical distress in their heart.
For many people, this heart related discomfort reverses after the acute grief period.
Crying — are tears healing?
Yes, the biochemical composition of tears is healing and healthy on a physical level and so it is okay to cry.
Decreased pleasure — Others fail to enjoy life, even food may seem tasteless.
Appetite — Stress response can lead to loss of appetite, some may overreact.
Stress response can divert energies to survival response.
It is very common for the bereaved to lose weight or to struggle to eat.
Grief can cause difficulties sleeping and insomnia.
Stress of grief can temporarily weaken the immune system.
It is not uncommon for one to get sick after a loss or even around anniversaries of the loss.
Headaches and other body aches are common after a significant loss.
In general, when grief is overwhelming, or the survivor is unable to face the loss, emotional pain may show up in bodily aches and pain.
This happens more when the survivors suppress their pain, mask their pain, attempt to avoid, or distract themselves from the emotional pain.
They may feel numb or disconnected. Grief may then emerge as physical symptoms.
This may also be a distraction from the emotions.
However, it is known that when grief is processed, when loss is addressed and acknowledged and accommodated, the brain can gradually make space for the new reality and begin to heal.
Grief can become less intense or rather our ability to move forward grows.
Our ability to handle emotions and continue with life strengthens.
Grief is a tough experience and is not an easy thing that can quickly be fixed.
There are, however, some things you can do to help your body go through the suffering.
These including conducting exercises, getting adequate sleep, eating healthy, engaging in healthy pleasurable activities, staying connected and making use of your spiritual resources.
Social contact is key. Do not isolate yourself, be around people who care and always have someone to talk to.
It is important to have a safe space where you can look back and talk about memories that the loved one has left you with.
Help is available to process overwhelming feelings of grief.
Remember, there is no expiration date on the grief you carry, so learn to talk about it.
And let us also learn to be supportive and allow people to grieve.
Let us show our non-judgmental compassion when people are grieving.
Let us also refer them for professional help.
Dr Mazvita Machinga (Ph.D) is a psychotherapist and mental health consultant and can be contacted on 0771 754 519, WhatApp 0778838410, Toll free 08080482
Online Reporter