What Grief Does to Your Mind and Body (And How to Cope with It)

Grief isn’t just sadness you carry in your heart—it settles in your whole body. After losing a pet, many people expect to feel sorrow or loneliness, but the ripple effect goes far deeper. You might feel mentally scattered, physically exhausted, or emotionally all over the place. It’s not just in your imagination—it’s your body responding to love that suddenly has nowhere to go.

For anyone walking through the fog of grief, understanding how it reshapes your inner and outer world can offer some clarity—and maybe even a little grace.

Emotionally, grief often hits in waves: some days are soaked in tears, others feel oddly flat, and then there are the unexpected flashes of anger or anxiety. Mentally, it can feel like you’re in a haze. Simple tasks take more effort, and even your memory can feel patchy. This is sometimes called “grief brain,” and while it’s frustrating, it’s a common and very real response. Your brain is recalibrating, trying to process an emotional wound that runs deep.

Physically, grief has its own language. Some people can’t sleep, while others sleep too much. Appetite changes are common—either losing interest in food altogether or turning to it for comfort. Your immune system might feel weaker, and your body more prone to stress. In some cases, extreme grief has even been linked to heart complications, like temporary stress-induced cardiomyopathy—also known as “broken heart syndrome.”

It’s no wonder grief feels so heavy. The body holds what the heart can’t express.

From a neurological standpoint, grief affects the regions of your brain involved in emotion and memory, making it harder to regulate how you feel. Hormonal shifts also occur—particularly a spike in cortisol, the stress hormone—which can lead to fatigue, muscle tension, and digestion problems. This helps explain why even small tasks can feel overwhelming.

But just as grief touches every part of us, healing does too. Supporting your body and mind doesn’t have to be complicated. Let yourself rest. Your energy might be unpredictable, and that’s okay. Eat what you can—even small, nourishing meals can help you feel a little steadier. A short walk or some stretching can offer surprising relief, especially when your chest feels tight or your limbs heavy.

Talk to someone. Whether it’s a friend, a support group, or a journal, giving your emotions somewhere to land can be incredibly freeing. If you find yourself spiraling or feeling numb for long stretches, professional guidance might bring much-needed support. And if mindfulness or quiet reflection feels helpful, give yourself that time.

Grief doesn’t move in straight lines, and healing rarely comes with milestones. But your body is trying to protect you. By noticing how it speaks—through fatigue, hunger, aches, or tension—you can respond with care instead of frustration.

This is love, translated into a physical form. And when you begin to respond with that same love—to your aching heart and your worn-out body—that’s when healing begins.