How does grief affect our physical health?

Question

Grief symptoms can manifest as both mental and physical signs which may greatly impact your mental well-being. Does experiencing grief really take a toll on your health? What effect does grief have on your well being physically?

Answer 1

I am happy to have known everyone of the connections to my loved / beloved & am blessed beyond all expression of their individual selves, & say I remember each one of you & appreciation of you all being a part of my life/ me to carry you with me onward to become a continuously better version of me because of all of you.

Answer 2

What an amazing incredible speaker, thank you so much for your service to us I feel so blessed to live in a timeline where we can share this knowledge with each other! <3

Answer 3

My wife and I lost our son to stillbirth at 34 weeks almost exactly 6 months ago. I'm thankful for this podcast and the information discussed as we are both still so early in the grieving process. Doesn't make the loss any easier, but knowing more about the grieving process certainly makes me feel less like "I'm doing something wrong".

Answer 4

The section on the connection between dopamine and grief was mind-blowing. A naturopath recently told me I have an overabundance of dopamine in my system, but I feel sad a lot of the time. In the past year, I quit the job I thought would be my last, sold my condo and moved from my long-time community, ended a dead-end relationship and euthanized my 16 year old pet after years of illness. As I read this, I am understanding a bit better what my brain and heart are going through.

Answer 5

I have lost a daughter, too, she was my only child and the light of my life. It was in 2011, but it does get easier, it really does. I believe she is here with me, and I hope you too can sense your daughter's presence❤

Answer 6

Lost my best friend suddenly almost 4 months ago. It was a complete shock to everyone, she was only 28. It felt like a crime to smile or laugh or to just simply be happy. It’s been a process but I’m learning how to have a relationship with her while she is not earth bound. We weren’t on the best of terms during her passing and I felt so guilty for not being there and allowing something so petty to get between us but I’m starting to forgive myself. I often joke that she didn’t have to pass away to make me get over it. Rest in peace G, I love you.

Answer 7

Such a powerful and necessary conversation. Dr. O’Connor’s work really illuminates how grief isn’t just emotional—it’s neurological, biological, existential. The back-and-forth between protest and despair makes so much sense when you realize the brain is trying to update its reality while still holding onto a bond that no longer has a physical anchor.

I’ve been exploring the emotional and philosophical sides of human suffering and transformation on my own too. If anyone here is drawn to that intersection of psychology and meaning, you might find something that resonates there.

Answer 8

Just lost my grandmother. I've sent this to my Mum hope it helps her.

Answer 9

My dad died 10 months ago. It’s been insane. We held a celebration of life for him and that party went til late. the way my dad would’ve preferred it I think. We must bolster our faith systems to seek positivity within grief.

Answer 10

I love Mary Francis' work with grief and bring this work into our grief coach certification training because it is important to integrate the science of bereavement with grief support. I am thrilled you have brought her into your studio to discuss this very important information. Thank you for this!

Answer 11

I never understood why anyone would want to take their own life until my wife of 40 years passed away. The constant pain is so unbearable, I would do anything to not feel that way. I drank every day for three years and felt true physical pain. One day I did not feel that terrible pain. It was like a switch was turned off in my stomach. It became duller and less painful. I was able to think of my wife with love and remember the good times. I started to go out and date again. Eventually I met a wonderful woman and we have been together now for a year. My late wife will always be a part of me and in losing her I realize how much I loved her and appreciate the new love I have found. I show that love to my partner more than I did my whole life knowing how lucky I am to have found another. It was a terrible journey that I survived and I knew that most everyone had gone through it, but it was my loss and it felt like my world ended and I did not want to continue this life. I'm glad I did not take "the easy way out", the suffering has made me a better man.

Answer 12

Please have a guest you talk with about mental health. Since it's the men mental health awareness month. I appreciate your time

Answer 13

No one tells you how to deal with the loss of your best friends as you get older. Person after person…

I broke up with a guy who has Alzheimer’s. I felt like a traitor. Our whole relationship was nothing but me becoming more and more his nurse not more of his lover… he kept changing so I basically kept losing him… our relationship was too short to survive… so painful

Answer 14

Not much one can do but wake up again and again, and try over and over, to find that once known peace.

Answer 15

Thanks for another fantastic episode and to anyone suffering with grief hope you find some solace.

Answer 16

Thank you for this content!!! Wonderful discussion and incredible guest!

Answer 17

My wife is about to be tested for Huntington’s. We’ve been stuck in a space of potential grief for years. It’s been a journey of learning to accept the impermanence of life - nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, but it’s hard to embrace that idea.

Answer 18

This is good. My husband died 11 years ago. We hide this normal process away which does not help! The Irish Wakes are sorely missed.
But I have a friend (bereaved) who doesn't want to learn change her state. A type of addiction I'd say.

Answer 19

My oldest child, a trans man, won’t talk to me, and I don’t know why. I have reached out with sincere love and humility to tell him open to hearing from him why, but he is neurodivergent and inflexible, so it’s now just part of my life that I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing. There is a dark hole in me that will NEVER go away.

Answer 20

Thank you! This has been my struggle and reading this is helping me reframe…❤