Everyone experiences grief differently, but many people notice physical symptoms alongside the emotional impact of bereavement. These symptoms can feel worrying, but they’re a recognised part of the grieving process.
Common physical symptoms of grief include:
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Extreme tiredness or fatigue.
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Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual.
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Feeling sick (nausea).
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Loss of appetite or eating more than you normally would.
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Stomach pain, diarrhoea, or constipation.
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Headaches.
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Muscle aches and body pain.
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Chest pain or a racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
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Shortness of breath.
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Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
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A weakened immune system, meaning you may get ill more often.
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Brain fog, poor concentration, or forgetfulness.
Although these symptoms can feel alarming, they’re usually caused by your body’s natural response to intense emotional stress rather than a serious illness.
Most physical symptoms gradually improve with time, but it’s important not to ignore new or severe symptoms – particularly chest pain or difficulty breathing, as these may have another medical cause.
Why do I feel so tired when grieving?
Feeling extremely tired is one of the most common physical symptoms of grief. Even if you haven’t been physically active, grieving can leave you completely exhausted.
This is because grief activates your body’s stress response. Over time, the continued release of stress hormones, alongside the emotional demands of processing a loss, can contribute to feelings of physical exhaustion.
Many people also sleep poorly, eat differently, and find everyday tasks require much more mental energy than usual – all of which contribute to fatigue.
It’s also normal to need more rest while you’re grieving, especially during the first few weeks and months after a bereavement.
Can grief make you feel sick?
Yes. Grief can make you feel physically unwell, and feeling sick is a common symptom.
When you’re grieving, your body’s stress response can affect your digestive system. This may cause symptoms such as feeling sick, a loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhoea, or constipation.
Some people find they struggle to eat, while others may eat more than usual. Both can be a normal response to grief.
Can grief cause a broken heart?
Yes. In rare cases, intense grief can trigger broken heart syndrome, a temporary heart condition that mimics a heart attack.
Also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, it happens when severe emotional or physical stress temporarily weakens the heart muscle. Doctors don’t fully understand why this happens, but it most commonly occurs after events such as the death of a loved one.
Broken heart syndrome is more common in women, particularly those over the age of 50.
Symptoms can include:
Because these symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, it’s important to seek urgent medical help if you experience them.
Although broken heart syndrome can be serious, most people recover with treatment. However, once you’ve had broken heart syndrome once, you’re at higher risk of getting symptoms again if you go through another major stress.
Can grief cause anxiety?
Yes. It’s common to feel anxious when you’re grieving, even if you’ve never experienced anxiety before.
Grief can trigger your body’s natural stress response, releasing hormones that prepare you to deal with a threat. This can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, trembling, or feeling on edge.
You may also worry about the future, find it difficult to relax or feel anxious in situations that didn’t previously bother you. These feelings often become less intense over time as you adjust to your loss.
Can grief cause brain fog?
Yes. Many people experience brain fog while grieving. You may find it difficult to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, or stay focused on everyday tasks.
Grief places a significant demand on your brain. Constantly processing emotions, coping with stress, and adjusting to life after a loss can make it harder to think clearly. Poor sleep and exhaustion can make these issues worse.
Although brain fog can be frustrating, it usually improves as your grief becomes easier to manage.
Can grief affect the immune system?
Yes. Grief can temporarily weaken your immune system, making you more likely to pick up infections such as colds or take longer to recover from illness.
This is because the stress of grief, along with poor sleep, changes in appetite, and emotional exhaustion, can affect how well your immune system works.
Looking after your physical health as much as possible by getting enough rest, staying hydrated and eating regular meals may help support your immune system while you’re grieving.
Why does grief affect the body?
Grief affects much more than your emotions because your brain and body are closely connected.
When you experience a significant loss, your body activates its natural stress response, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, faster breathing, sweating, dry mouth, and tense muscles.
Grief can also affect your sleep, appetite, and energy levels. Over time, poor sleep and not eating enough can weaken your immune system, making you more likely to pick up infections or take longer to recover from illness.
There is no set timeline for grief, so how long the physical symptoms of grief lasts varies from person to person.
For many people, symptoms such as tiredness, poor sleep, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating are most intense in the days and weeks after a bereavement. As time passes, these symptoms often become less frequent or easier to manage.
However, it’s also normal for physical symptoms to return in waves. Anniversaries, birthdays, or other reminders of the person who has died can temporarily bring back feelings of grief and the physical symptoms that come with it.
Grief can make it harder to manage existing health conditions. Some people find they forget to take regular medication, miss appointments, or struggle to eat well, exercise, or look after themselves while they’re grieving.
This can cause conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, or mental health issues to become more difficult to manage.
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your usual healthcare routine, tell your doctor or another healthcare professional. They may be able to suggest extra support while you’re grieving.
While you can’t stop the physical effects of grief, taking small steps to care for your body can help support your wellbeing as you adjust to your loss.
Try to:
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Eat little and often if you don’t feel hungry.
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Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
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Accept help with shopping, cooking, or household tasks if it’s offered.
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Move your body gently, such as taking a short walk or stretching.
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Keep taking any prescribed medication and attend medical appointments if you can.
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Rest when you need to. It’s normal to feel more tired than usual.
Remember, you don’t have to do everything. Even taking one small step each day is enough.
How friends and family can help
Practical support can make a big difference to someone who is grieving. And there are many ways friends and family can help support a loved one going through grief.
These include:
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Offering practical help with everyday tasks, such as shopping, cooking nutritious meals, or helping with household chores.
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Reducing some of the pressures that can feel overwhelming after a bereavement.
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Remembering that everyone grieves differently – some people want company, while others need time alone.
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Letting the person know you’re there for them whenever they’re ready.
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Avoiding putting pressure on them to talk about their grief.
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Simply sitting with someone and offering your presence can be just as meaningful as finding the “right” words.
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Reminding someone that they’re not alone can provide comfort during a difficult time.
When to seek professional help
Physical symptoms are a normal part of grieving and often improve over time as you begin to adjust to your loss.
However, you should speak to a healthcare professional if:
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Your physical symptoms are severe, persistent, or getting worse.
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Chest pain, breathlessness, or other symptoms could be caused by a medical emergency.
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Your symptoms are making it difficult to cope with everyday life.
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You feel persistently low, hopeless, or unable to function months after your bereavement.
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You have thoughts of harming yourself or feel that life isn’t worth living.
A doctor can help rule out other medical conditions, offer advice on managing your symptoms, and, if needed, refer you for bereavement support or talking therapies.
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Grief can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones.
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Common symptoms include tiredness, headaches, nausea, muscle aches, digestive issues, chest pain, and brain fog.
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These symptoms happen because grief activates the body’s natural stress response, affecting the brain, hormones, immune system, and nervous system.
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Physical symptoms are often strongest in the first few weeks or months after a bereavement, but they can return in waves.
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While most symptoms improve with time, you should seek medical advice if they’re severe, persistent, or you’re worried they may have another cause.
