The Grieving Body

November 25, 2024
In this wise and lucid guide, O’Connor (The Grieving Brain), a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, examines the ways grief wreaks havoc on the brain and body and how those effects can be mitigated. Drawing from scientific research and personal experience—including her mother’s early death from cancer and her own multiple sclerosis diagnosis—O’Connor catalogues the physiological changes that can result from loss, as blood pressure and cortisol levels spike and a weakened immune system makes the body more susceptible to infection. As she explains, those effects are partly because close relationships “regulate our physiology,” stimulating the production of such feel-good chemicals as oxytocin; their sudden withdrawal is akin to a piece of one’s own body being “cut away.” But by noticing signs of stress, readers can use the grieving process to heal both physically and emotionally—for example, by viewing reduced energy levels as motivation to prioritize what’s important. Throughout, O’Connor balances sharp scientific insights with elegant observations about the nature of loss. The result is sure to be a balm for mourners.

Starred review from January 1, 2025

In her second book on grief, O'Connor (psychology, Univ. of Arizona; The Grieving Brain) addresses grieving and bereavement, processes that are often disregarded in society. This title serves as a guide to anyone hoping to reduce the suffering that emerges after a loss. O'Connor recognizes that grief has both physiological and emotional effects, and the initial chapters examine the physical and potential medical impacts of grief on the cardiovascular system, liver, lungs, brain, immune system, and sympathetic nervous system. The second section considers grief as an opportunity for healing. O'Connor provides a toolkit of coping strategies to assist in the healing process, including establishing healthy eating habits, treating insomnia or sleep issues, employing mediation or mindfulness techniques, addressing loneliness, and showing oneself compassion and kindness. The book cites medical journals and includes data in some chapters, which are still approachable for lay readers. O'Connor also discusses significant theories, such as attachment and cognitive stress theory, to explain death's impact. She emphasizes that people who are grieving often don't get enough time off work (especially in the U.S.), which can heighten the physical impacts. VERDICT An excellent choice for readers seeking bereavement support.--Erica Swenson Danowitz

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