How Grief and Stress Affect the Body | Nervous System, Anxiety & Healing
A PERSONAL STORY BY GIOVANNA
A few weeks ago, I lost my mum.
There is no neat way to write that sentence.
Grief does not arrive as one emotion. It comes in waves—sadness, shock, anger, guilt, numbness—and sometimes several of them within the same hour.
What surprised me most was how physical it became.
It lived in my chest, my breathing, my sleep and my energy. There were moments when anxiety became so intense that I had to consciously remind myself to breathe. The exhaustion felt heavier than words could explain.
I also began experiencing hair loss during this period of intense stress—another visible reminder that emotional pain does not remain neatly inside the mind.
“Grief reminds us how precious ordinary moments really are.”
I am sharing this because grief can make you feel as though something is wrong with you.
There is no correct way to feel after losing someone you love. But understanding why your body may feel different can make the experience a little less frightening—and remind you that support is available.
Grief is emotional—and physical
The NHS recognises that grief and loss can affect people in many different ways. Shock, numbness, overwhelming sadness, anger, guilt and exhaustion are all common responses.
Grief may also change:
difficulty settling or waking early
heaviness and deep tiredness
eating less or seeking comfort
forgetfulness and mental fog
tension, headaches or stomach symptoms
wanting company, solitude—or both
These experiences vary. They may come and go, appear unexpectedly or feel different from one day to the next.
Grief is not a test of strength, and your response does not need to look like anybody else’s.
Why the body can feel constantly on alert
The nervous system helps the body respond to what is happening around and within us. After a profound loss, ordinary demands can feel sharper because part of your attention remains occupied by shock, memory and emotion.
You may feel restless and unable to settle. Or you may feel slowed down, detached and exhausted. Sometimes the two states alternate.
Grief does not follow a productivity schedule
The messages still arrive.
Work still expects replies.
People still ask how you are.
But some days, simply moving through the day is already enough.
One of the hardest parts for me was how quickly the world seemed to expect normal functioning to return.
Keep replying. Keep working. Keep performing. Keep appearing strong.
But grief does not care about deadlines.
“We are not designed to live in survival mode forever.”
Sleep can become another place where grief appears
Night-time removes many of the distractions that carry you through the day.
Your mind may replay conversations, return to hospital rooms, remember ordinary moments or move between longing and disbelief. You may struggle to fall asleep, wake during the night or open your eyes feeling as though you have not rested at all.
Sleep disturbance is common during bereavement. That lost sleep can then make concentration, emotional regulation and everyday decisions feel harder the following day.
This does not mean you are “doing grief badly”. It means you may need more gentleness around sleep—and help if the disruption becomes persistent or overwhelming.
What helped me when everything felt too much
There is no quick fix for grief. There should not be pressure to heal quickly or perfectly.
What helped me was not one dramatic breakthrough. It was a series of small moments that made the day feel slightly more possible.
None of these removed the grief.
They simply gave my body small moments in which it did not have to fight quite so hard.
A gentle evening ritual for difficult days
Close: put away one thing that belongs to the working day.
Nourish: have water and something simple to eat if meals have been difficult.
Connect: send one honest message—or choose quiet company with someone safe.
Soften: lower the lights and choose reading, gentle music, a bath or slow breathing.
Release: do not demand perfect sleep. Give yourself the opportunity to rest.
The aim is not to “regulate grief” in five steps. It is to make the final part of the day feel less demanding.
Where Feel Rested may fit
A mushroom blend cannot heal grief, treat anxiety or replace human connection, counselling or medical care.
For me, the value of a warm evening drink was the ritual surrounding it: making something slowly, sitting down and marking the point when I no longer needed to keep performing for the day.
OPTIONAL EVENING RITUAL
Feel Rested — Evening Blend
Recover through your evening ritual
The reformulated PURE JOY Evening Blend combines Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushroom extracts in a balanced 2,000 mg daily serving.
When it returns, it can become one optional part of a calm wind-down routine. The blend does not make grief disappear. The purpose is to create a repeatable moment of care within a period that can otherwise feel without structure.
Functional mushroom research continues to evolve, and human evidence differs by species, preparation and outcome. We do not present mushrooms as treatments for bereavement, anxiety, depression or insomnia.
You do not have to carry this alone
Grief is personal, but it does not have to be private.
Speak to someone you trust, your GP, a bereavement counsellor or a support organisation if you are struggling. NHS guidance recommends seeking help if low mood persists, you are finding it hard to cope or the things you are trying are not helping.
If you need urgent help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans can be reached free at 116 123. NHS urgent mental-health support is also available through 111.
Frequently asked questions
Can grief cause physical symptoms?
Grief can coincide with exhaustion, disturbed sleep, appetite changes, poor concentration, tension and other physical experiences. Speak to your GP about persistent, severe or concerning symptoms rather than assuming grief is the only cause.
Is anxiety normal during grief?
Some people feel anxious, restless or overwhelmed after a loss. If anxiety is intense, persistent or interfering with everyday life, professional support can help.
How long should grief last?
There is no universal timetable. Grief often changes rather than simply ending. Seek help if you feel unable to cope, cannot return to everyday activities or your distress remains overwhelming.
What should I say to someone who is grieving?
You do not need perfect words. Acknowledge the loss, listen without rushing to fix it and offer something specific—food, a walk, practical help or quiet company.
Can functional mushrooms help with grief?
Functional mushrooms do not treat grief, anxiety, depression or insomnia. A PURE JOY blend may be included in a comforting daily ritual, but it should never replace connection or appropriate professional support.
A brief supplement safety note
Food supplements should complement a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional before using mushroom supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, have a mushroom allergy, are preparing for surgery or manage a health condition.
Final thought
Losing my mum changed me deeply.
There is less pressure now to perform, less obsession with perfection and less need to appear strong every moment.
There is more presence. More honesty. More appreciation for ordinary life.
Grief reminds you how fragile life is—but also how sacred its smallest moments can be.
Hold the people you love close. Say what matters. Let yourself rest. And do not wait for tragedy to remind you to be present.
Slow down. Protect your peace. Be gentle with yourself.
— Giovanna