The Science: Grief Is a Whole-Body Experience

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Grief activates the stress response system

 

Grief stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing cortisol (the stress hormone), which affects sleep, digestion, immune function, and muscle tension.

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• Study: O’Connor et al. (2008) found that individuals with complicated grief had elevated cortisol levels, which can disrupt the nervous system and contribute to physical symptoms.

• Source: O’Connor MF et al., Psychosomatic Medicine, 2008.

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Physical symptoms of grief are well documented

 

People in grief frequently report:

• Chest tightness

• Muscle aches

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Appetite changes

• Digestive issues

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These aren’t imagined—they’re rooted in real neurochemical and physiological shifts.

• American Psychological Association notes grief is often experienced as "somatic symptoms" that resemble illness.

• Source: APA Grief Fact Sheet

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The brain-body connection: The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)

 

The ACC, a region of the brain that processes both physical and emotional pain, becomes active during grief—especially social or relational loss.

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• Study: Eisenberger et al. (2003) demonstrated that social rejection and grief light up the same brain regions as physical pain.

• Source: Eisenberger NI et al., Science, 2003.

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Grief disrupts autonomic nervous system regulation

 

The autonomic nervous system governs heart rate, breath, and digestion. Grief, especially traumatic grief, can cause dysregulation—putting the body in a prolonged fight/flight or freeze state.

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• Polyvagal theory (Stephen Porges) supports that safety, connection, and co-regulation are essential for processing grief stored in the body.

• This is why adding breathwork, grounding, and somatic practices to your grieving process  are often more effective than talk therapy alone.

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Trauma and grief are held in the body

 

Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk wrote: The Body Keeps The Score.

Unresolved grief and trauma can manifest as chronic physical tension, disconnection, and emotional numbness—especially when grief is silenced or unprocessed.

• Source: van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score, 2014.

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Why This Matters in Practice

 

Because grief is held in the body:

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• Breathwork, movement, and body awareness practices can help people access, express, and release grief more effectively than words alone.

• These practices calm the nervous system and create space to process grief gently and safely.