What organ is affected by grief?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), grief and sadness are primarily associated with the Lungs, affecting breathing and immunity, but also potentially impacting the Heart (feeling "brokenhearted") and the Liver, while Western medicine links intense grief to increased risk for cardiovascular issues like heart attack and stroke, highlighting the body's profound mind-body connection to stress and loss.

What organ does grief affect?

Research to date has shown that, like many other stressors, grief frequently leads to changes in the endocrine, immune, autonomic nervous, and cardiovascular systems; all of these are fundamentally influenced by brain function and neurotransmitters.

Where does grief hold in the body?

When you carry grief, it doesn't just stay as a feeling; it becomes something your body holds. This can look like tension in your shoulders, a heaviness in your chest, or even digestive issues. Grief trauma can live in any part of you and show up when you least expect it.

How long does the grief process last?

There are not set stages of grief. The length of time is different for each person. For most people their mourning period is a long process and it can take years. After about two years you are likely to know the places, events and occasions that trigger your emotions.

What is a prolonged grieving disorder?

An individual with prolonged grief disorder (PGD) may experience intense longing for the person who has died and/or feelings of being preoccupied by thoughts of the death of that person. In children and adolescents, the preoccupation may focus on the circumstances of the death.

The Physical Symptoms of Grief

What are 6 symptoms of complicated grieving?

Six common symptoms of complicated grief include intense, persistent longing and sorrow, difficulty accepting the death, avoiding reminders, rumination or preoccupation with the loss, emotional numbness or detachment, and a feeling that life lacks meaning, all persisting long after the loss and disrupting daily life. These symptoms go beyond normal grief, becoming disabling and preventing normal functioning. 

What is the antidote for grief?

The antidote for Grief, according to the ancient spiritual teachings, is to let go, and to have faith. There is a higher power, a bigger force at work here, that we are not privy to. We can support our own journeys and the journeys of our friends, families and neighbors, by keeping our faith.

What does unhealthy grieving look like?

Unhealthy grief, or complicated grief, involves intense, persistent symptoms that disrupt daily life for many months, including severe functional impairment, prolonged avoidance of reminders, intense guilt/blame, emotional numbness or detachment, hopelessness, self-destructive behaviors (substance abuse, self-harm), and suicidal thoughts, signaling a need for professional help beyond normal grieving.
 

What shouldn't you do while grieving?

When grieving, you should avoid isolating yourself, suppressing emotions, using substances to numb pain, making major life decisions, and expecting a linear process or specific timeline, as grief is unique, messy, and requires processing feelings, seeking support, and taking care of your physical health. Don't compare your grief to others or rush yourself; instead, allow for waves of emotion, express feelings in healthy ways (like writing or talking), and remember it's okay to feel lost and not "fine". 

What is the hardest stage of grief?

There's no single hardest stage, as it varies by person, but many find Depression the most difficult due to overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, and isolation as the reality of the loss sets in. Others find Acceptance challenging because it means truly realizing the permanence of the loss, while some struggle most with initial Denial, Anger, or intense Bargaining, with each stage presenting unique challenges.
 

What is the most common physical symptom of grief?

The physical impact of grief

• exhaustion.
• fatigue.
• headaches.
• nausea.
• unexplained aches and pains.
• changes to appetite.
• a tight feeling in the chest and stomach.

Which organ stores grief?

The Five Element Theory

• Anger - Liver.
• Joy - Heart.
• Worry - Spleen.
• Sadness/Grief - Lungs.
• Fear - Kidneys.

When does grief sink in?

It can be challenging to accept the reality of their absence, and it may take time for the loss to fully sink in. This can range from weeks to months or longer in some cases, there is no set time frame for processing grief.

What hormone is released during grief?

According to research, it appears that cortisol levels remain elevated for at least the first six months of bereavement, affecting heart and immune functioning, as well as quality of sleep and life.

What organs does sadness affect?

Anger was related to the liver, happiness to the heart, thoughtfulness to the heart and spleen, sadness to the heart and lungs, fear to the kidneys, heart, liver, and gallbladder, surprise to the heart and the gallbladder, and anxiety to the heart and the lungs.

Can grief make you physically unwell?

It's common to feel physical pain after someone dies. Grief can affect your whole body. It can also reduce your ability to fight off minor infections.

What is the 40 day rule after death?

The "40-day rule after death" refers to cultural and religious traditions, especially in Eastern Christianity, where the soul is believed to journey or undergo judgment for 40 days, culminating in a memorial service, while in other traditions like Islam, specific 40-day rituals are cultural rather than scriptural, signifying a period of mourning, reflection, and support for the bereaved through prayers and remembrance. 

What are the three C's of grief?

Grieving is hard, but understanding what are the 3 C's of grief—Choose, Connect, and Communicate—can help. These principles guide you to make choices, build connections, and express your feelings.

What 3 colors not to wear to a funeral?

Understanding what not to wear is essential for showing proper respect at funeral services. Bright or Flashy Colors: Red, orange, or neon colors are inappropriate and can appear disrespectful during solemn occasions.

What is the hardest loss to grieve?

There's no single "hardest" loss, as grief is deeply personal, but losing a child, a life partner, or someone to suicide/homicide are consistently ranked as among the most devastating due to violating natural order, shattering futures, and causing immense psychological distress. Other extremely difficult losses involve the death of a sibling, losing a future (hopes/dreams), or experiencing a sudden, violent, or disenfranchised loss where support is lacking. 

How to get grief out of your body?

To release grief from the body, use somatic practices like deep breathing, gentle movement (yoga, walking), and mindful self-touch (like gentle stroking) to calm the nervous system, alongside emotional release through crying, journaling, and talking, or seeking professional help with therapies like EMDR or somatic experiencing to process stored tension and trauma.
 

What does unhealed grief look like?

Unresolved grief can lead to various symptoms, including anger, guilt, and delayed depression. Some other common symptoms are hypervigilance, being clingy or detached. The best way to deal with unresolved grief is to get closure; you can write a letter.

What medication is good for grief?

I use antidepressants for patients struggling with grief as well as for those with secondary depression. I think the SSRIs in particular help with the stress of grieving as well as the symptoms of anxiety and depression commonly seen.

What did Abraham Lincoln say about grief?

In the hope that it may be no intrusion upon the sacredness of your sorry, I have ventured to address you this tribute to the memory of my young friend, and your brave and early fallen child." To Fanny, he penned words sharing his own experiences of loss – "…in this sad world of ours, sorrows come to all, to the young, ...

What is the healthiest way to grieve?

The healthiest way to deal with grief involves a balance of honoring your emotions and caring for your physical self, which means allowing yourself to mourn and express feelings through talking, journaling, or crying, while also prioritizing self-care like healthy eating, exercise, and sleep, and seeking support from friends, family, or professionals when needed. It's crucial to be patient, understand your grief is unique, avoid major decisions, and remember that healing is a gradual process.