Grief and the Body–Mind Connection

Grief doesn’t just live in your heart. It lives in your breath, your muscles, your rhythm.

Loss isn't just an emotional experience—it shows up somatically. At Mind & Body Therapy, we recognize grief as a holistic process. As much as it takes time to mourn, it also calls for presence with the parts of ourselves that carry the memory of what was lost.

Why Grief and the Body Are Deeply Tied

• Somatic storage: Studies show grief can manifest in the body as tightness, muscle pain, digestive upset, and fatigue—even long after the loss itself (Reisen, 2014, IBPJ; SELF, 2021).

• Polyvagal perspective: Grief can dysregulate the nervous system, shifting individuals into states of freeze or fight–flight. Body-based practices like breath and movement support a return to safety by stimulating the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” system (By Repose Journal).

• Embodied remembrance: Neuroscience links interoception—the awareness of internal body signals—to emotional regulation, meaning reconnecting with one’s body actually supports healthy grief processing (Wikipedia: Interoception).

Healing Practices for Mind–Body Grief Support

1. Heartbeat Grounding
   Place a hand over your heart, close your eyes, and match your breath to your heartbeat for several minutes. This fosters interoceptive awareness and reinforces emotional clarity.

2. Gentle Body Scan
   Lie or sit with eyes closed. Slowly notice where grief holds—shoulders, jaw, belly—and gently breathe into those spaces. This somatic noticing helps ease tension and reconnects the emotional with the physical.

3. Movement Prayer
   Whether it’s a silent walk or slow stretching, intentional movement allows grief to shift. Studies highlight movement as a nonverbal form of grief processing, helping to regulate both emotion and nervous system tone (By Repose Journal).

You don't need to rush your grief or "feel better." Caring for your body—through breath, presence, movement—is a permission to hold grief with softness and support.

You don’t have to carry grief alone. Your body already knows how to help heal—from the bottom up. If you need additional support, we are here to help. Book Now for a complimentary 15 minute session with our somatic or counseling team and learn how Somatic Processing can help you.