🌿 Grief in the Body: How Loss Lives in Us Physically (and What Can Help)
- Wynter Dalton
- May 7
- 4 min read
When you're mourning the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a life change, or even a piece of yourself, grief doesn’t just sit in the heart. It often shows up in our bodies in quiet, confusing, and unexpected ways. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I so tired?” “Why does my chest feel heavy?” “Why do I keep getting sick?” — know this: You are not broken. You are grieving. And that is holy, human, and normal. 💛
Let’s walk through some of the common physical symptoms of grief, the phases you may move through, and gentle herbal and aromatherapy support to nurture you through each one.
🌀 The Phases of Grief
Grief doesn’t always follow a straight line. The five traditional stages are:
Denial – “This isn’t happening.”
Anger – “Why did this happen?”
Bargaining – “If only I had…”
Depression – “I can’t go on like this.”
Acceptance – “This is my new reality.”
You may move through these in order, in waves, or circle back again. It's all okay. 🌊 Here are a few herbs and oils that can help with physical symptoms that may occur.
🧠 Brain Fog & Forgetfulness
Grief can cloud your mind and make it hard to focus or remember things. This is your nervous system protecting itself.
A supportive tea:
🌿 Rosemary Tea – When this herb is consumed as a tea, it sharpens memory, stimulated blood flow, and gently uplifts the mind.
A supportive oil:
✨ Peppermint Essential Oil – This oil is energizing and clearing. Inhale the aroma of the oil deeply or diffuse while journaling to refresh the spirit and clarify the mind.
💤 Fatigue & Low Energy
Grief can make even small tasks feel heavy. You might sleep more—or feel tired no matter how long you sleep.
A supportive tea:
🌼 Lemon Balm Tea – This herb is great for calming stress while gently reviving you.
A supportive oil:
🍋 Sweet Orange Essential Oil – It is a bright, mood-lifting scent that ignites a sense of joy and soft motivation.
💔 Chest Tightness & Shortness of Breath
Grief often weighs heavily on the chest—where the heart, breath, and emotions dwell. You might feel pressure, shallow breathing, or heaviness. This is common and not a sign of weakness—your heart is adjusting to deep change.
A supportive tea:
🌹 Rose Petal Tea – When consumed as a tea, it softens emotional pain, comforts the heart, and promotes peace from within. We recommend pink rose tea; however, red rose tea provides relief as well.
A supportive oil:
🕊️ Frankincense Essential Oil – A sacred, deeply grounding and heart-opening essential oil that is mental and emotionally balancing when inhaled slowly during prayer or reflection.
🤢 Digestive Issues (Nausea, Bloating, Appetite Loss)
Your gut is closely connected to your emotions. Grief can disrupt digestion and appetite.
A supportive tea:
🍃 Ginger Tea – This spicy herb soothes the stomach and reignites digestive fire. It's warming taste is oh so comforting.
A supportive oil:
🌼 Chamomile Essential Oil – The steam distilled aroma of chamomile is greatly calming to the gut and the nerves.
😣 Body Aches & Tension
You may carry grief in your neck, shoulders, back, or hips. These aches are real and valid.
A supportive tea:
🌿 Turmeric Tea – This powerful herb is anti-inflammatory and warming for aching joints and muscles. Add ginger, lemon, and cinnamon for additional full body benefits.
A supportive oil:
🌾 Lavender Essential Oil – While many love the floral aroma, it is also a gentle muscle relaxant. Add a few drops of pure lavender oil to a warm bath or apply diluted to tense areas for emotional uplift and pain relief.
A lot of information has been shared. Yet, it is crucial that you remember:
✨ You are not “doing it wrong.”
✨ Grief takes time. It’s okay to move slow.
✨ Be patient with yourself. Rest is productive in healing.
If you find yourself needing additional support - That's OK!
Reach out to close friends or family who you trust.
Look for a grief support group in your community or church.
Explore books on grief and healing from a faith-based or holistic lens.
Keep a journal — not for answers, but for release.
You don’t have to carry this alone. And your body is not your enemy—it’s your messenger. It’s speaking the language of love and loss.
🙏🏽 Can I pray with you?
Heavenly Father,
You are close to the brokenhearted and You bind up their wounds. We invite Your comfort into our body and soul. Help us breathe through this pain, to be gentle with ourselves as You are with us. Let Your peace guard our heart and fill our heavy places with light. Surround us with love—in spirit and in people—and remind us that we are never alone. In Jesus' name, Amen. 🤍
At Wynter’s Spirit, we honor your healing journey in the way we are called to do, through herbal teas, essential oils, and sacred soaks that support you mind, body, and spirit. If you need help selecting products during a tender season, reach out. We're here to walk with you. 🤍
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