Dear Hope: I’ve been having all of these physical symptoms of grief like headaches, fatigue, and nausea… is this typical?
Dear Hope,
We all knew my sister was going to die after her diagnosis, so I felt like I was mentally prepped for the grief process. But I’ve been having all of these physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and nausea… is this typical?
Long story short, physical grief symptoms happen (and they’re wildly under-discussed).
Grief Isn’t Just Emotional, It’s Physical Too
Grief isn’t just sadness or crying in the dark or thinking about the person that died in every single moment. It’s also nausea that won’t go away. It’s the exhaustion that sleep can’t fix. It’s chest tightness, foggy thinking, headaches, and loss of appetite. It can also show up as:
Migraines
Digestive issues like nausea, bloating, or constipation
Chest pain or tightness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or faintness
Muscle tension and body aches
Fatigue and insomnia
Weakened immune system
These symptoms aren’t in your head either, there’s science behind them presenting in your body. According to the American Psychological Association, grief can trigger a “cascade of stress hormones” in the body, impacting everything from digestion to immune function. Grief activates the body’s stress response, flooding your system with cortisol and adrenaline, which can disrupt sleep, digestion, immunity, and even memory.
Grief can also mimic anxiety or depression which can create brain fog, restlessness, or panic. You might feel like you're sick, but you’re just missing someone you can’t get back. And that’s okay.
The nervous system becomes dysregulated. Your body perceives threat (not unlike trauma) and reacts accordingly in fight, flight, or freeze. What you’re feeling is your body grieving too.
Anticipatory Grief and the Aftermath
Even if you knew the death of your sister was coming, your body still experiences the death of your person as a rupture. You might’ve mentally braced for it, but grief has a way of finding its own entry point, often through the body.
Studies have shown that bereaved people, especially those who have experienced anticipatory grief, often face more intense physical symptoms once the death occurs.
Honestly, no amount of preparation can fully soften the blow.
What Should You Do About It?
Most importantly, don’t ignore it. Grief needs space emotionally and somatically.
Move gently: Light walks, stretching, or somatic-based yoga can help discharge stress.
Hydrate and nourish: Your appetite may disappear, but your body still needs fuel.
Rest deeply: Fatigue is part of the healing. Allow extra sleep if you need it (and don’t feel guilty).
Seek care: Check with a doctor to rule out other causes, and consider a grief-informed therapist who understands the physical side of loss.
Grief can often be nothing like we expected. It can tear us in half in a way we didn’t even know was possible. Physical symptoms are rarely discussed, so it’s not unusual that you didn’t see them coming. Be kind to yourself through each headache and tired moment.
