BODY

“A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.”

—Tom Stoppard

Every one of us will lose someone we love. In addition, while we may not give any thought to how our grief affects us physically, it’s unlikely anyone who suffers personal loss will endure the grieving process without any effect on physical health.

Bereavement is a hugely stressful time, and it takes its toll on the body, causing all sorts of physical problems. The list of physical ailments associated with bereavement includes sleep disruption, shortness of breath, hair loss, recurrent infections, and high blood pressure.

Bereavement releases high levels of natural steroids in the body causing heightened activity in the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the body’s “flight or fight” system, the body’s mechanism that controls its readiness for action. The heart responds to this by increasing the pulse and blood pressure; so while someone suffering loss may seem slow and down on the outside, on the inside they could be in turmoil.

The body’s immune system is also affected by bereavement. Stress related to loss can be responsible for a fall in the activity of T-lymphocytes, cells that are very important in fighting infection. Therefore, someone who’s bereaved may be more susceptible to catching colds and other minor infections. Additionally, chronic conditions that require careful monitoring such as diabetes and high blood pressure can go awry during the grieving process.

This partly explains why people who experience personal loss are at increased risk of dying within the first year. Men are at greater risk than women; this is thought to be because they have fewer support systems in place than women who suffer loss do.

Given that the mind and body are interlinked, the psychological problems associated with bereavement can manifest themselves as physical symptoms. Depression, disruption to sleep, and loss of appetite all cause the body to slow down. Anxiety is common during bereavement and causes hot sweats, poor sleep patterns, and loss of appetite. There’s also the risk