How grief affects the body: Weakening your immune system
A person who is under intense grief tends to have a weaker immune system compared to people who are not experiencing grief. This is related to an imbalance of stress hormones in the body which can affect how the immune system suppresses illnesses.
This can make them more prone to having the flu, cough, and colds.
How grief affects the body: Unhealthy coping mechanisms
Grief can also lead to unhealthy behavioral changes. People struggling with loss can sometimes turn to alcohol or even drug use in order to cope with the pain. It might work for them in the short-term, but these unhealthy coping mechanisms can cause serious health problems over time.
Being addicted to alcohol or drugs negatively affects a person’s health, and even affects their personal relationships.
How grief affects the body: Poor sleep
Another example of how grief affects the body is that it can affect a person’s ability to sleep. Sleep is the time your body needs to rest and get ready for the next day. But for a person suffering from grief, sleep can be very difficult as their brain might find it hard to rest.
Lack of sleep can cause a number of health problems, and can even aggravate a person’s current health problems.
How grief affects the body: Stomach problems
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