Many ways grief can harm your health explain what part of your body grief affects the most and how you can lessen the effect on your physical, mental, and spiritual health. For instance, grief may make you feel depressed, tearful, or isolated. You may spend time thinking about the past. Or feel guilty about not doing enough for the deceased. You may experience spiritual fatigue and hopelessness. And, in a worse situation, you may entertain suicidal thoughts.
If you are experiencing physical, mental, and spiritual health grief-related symptoms, Many ways grief can harm your health is a must-read:
Heart attack risk
Your chances of having a heart attack are higher than normal on the first day of grief over the loss of a loved one. Your risks subside over the first week, though your odds may remain higher than normal for the first month. So try to get enough sleep, and watch for signs of heart attack like chest and stomach pain, cold sweats, nausea, and dizziness.
Sharp Chest pain
The sudden loss of a spouse or loved one can cause a jolt of intense emotion and trigger hormones that lead to sharp chest pain and trouble breathing. Your heart may not pump blood as well for a while. It can feel like a heart attack, but it usually doesn’t damage your heart or block your arteries. It is broken heart syndrome and many people get better within a few days or weeks.
Stomach Issues
Grief can lead you to stop eating on a regular schedule or to binge eat. And cortisol can make you nauseous or disrupt your stomach and the rest of your digestive tract. You may have stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, and even irritable bowel syndrome. If you have stomach issues that won’t go away, talk to your doctor to help you find ways to treat them.
Depression
According to an article from Psychiatric Times, 40% of grievers meet the criteria for major depression one month after their loss, and 24% still meet the criteria after two months. Because of these similarities, a bereaved person cannot be diagnosed with depression until two months have passed since their loss.
Sleep Problems
Prolonged grief disorder causes sleep problems because grief can keep you from getting the regular sleep your mind and body need. You might have trouble going to sleep, wake up often in the night, or even sleep too much. Good sleep habits can help. Wind down slowly before bed with something calm like a bath, a book, or breathing exercises, and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Extreme Tiredness
The emotional toll of grief can drain your energy. Therefore to avoid fatigue, eat something, even if you don’t feel like it. And exercise because something as simple as going out for a short walk can help. It’s also good to stay connected with family and friends. Likewise a mental health professional or a support group may help you through your grief.
Immune System
Grief can take a toll on your body’s ability to fight illness and infection, especially if it’s prolonged. So talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if it’s difficult to come to terms with your loss.
Inflammation
There’s evidence that grief is linked to inflammation, and some studies show the more severe the grief, the more serious the inflammation. However, you can manage inflammation through exercise and eating healthy foods.
Anxiety
The events that cause grief can make you feel like you don’t have control over your life. Some worry is normal, but if your anxiety lasts longer than a few months or gets in the way of your normal work or home life, it may be time to talk to your doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Your body may release more cortisol, (stress hormone), than usual into your bloodstream after the loss of a loved one. High levels of cortisol over a long period can put you at risk of heart disease or high blood pressure.
Aches and Pains
Grief makes it more likely to suffer joint pain, back pain, or headaches. And the reason could be the muscle tension caused by cortisol released in response to grief. This should improve over time, but talk to your doctor about how to manage the pain if the pain doesn’t go away.
Heart Problems
Serious grief can keep your pulse high for as long as 6 months. This faster rate, which could be caused by anxiety or the release of cortisol, may increase your chances of heart problems. Talk to your doctor about adding or changing your medication, especially if you already have heart issues.
Spiritual Fatigue
While the many ways grief harms your health are focused on physical and mental health, spiritual health is centered on putting God at the center of your healing process. The grief that follows the death of a loved one is overwhelming and often destabilizing. Sometimes the grieving process can take years, and you wonder if God has deserted you. While you yearn for His comfort, one day you are no longer overwhelmed by your loss. That is the first sign of healing. From then, you begin to trust God to heal your pain, take your hand, and lead you through the darkness. In addition, remove your weariness, and fill your heart with hope, peace, and a new resolve.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/depression-after-loved-ones-death
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