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The follow-up to celebrated grief expert, neuroscientist, and psychologist Dr. Mary-Frances O''Connor''s The Grieving Brain , focused on the impact of grief on the human body. Experiencing death and grief can be some of the most painful human moments we will go through in our short lives on this planet. We have had language for the mental, emotional ramifications of these experiences for decades, yet we lack the same for what happens to our physical bodies. Enter Dr. Mary-Frances O''Connor, whose vital scientific research reveals imperative new insights on the profound physiological impact of grief upon the human body. Through illuminating studies and personal stories, The Grieving Body explores the myriad expressions of the somatic toll of loss, including compromises to our cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems that have grand implications for long-term wellbeing. Everyone will experience loss at some point, and yet not all grief is the same; this accessible guide provides a path for healing, including: - Understanding the science behind grief - Connecting the dots between our mental and physical internal systems - Ways to improve healthcare for the dying and their loved ones left behind - Navigating chronic pain and grief - Discovering our innate tools for accessing healing and peace Research-backed and filled with humanity, The Grieving Body is an essential, hopeful read for those experiencing any kind of loss.
About the author
Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book The Grieving Brain was included on Oprah’s list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O’Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Report
"No one has done more for the science of grief than Mary-Frances O'Connor. Deeply human and wise, The Grieving Body delivers a grounded, logical understanding of the effects of stress and loss on our bodies. O'Connor doesn't just explain what happens and why, she offers hopeful, beautiful solutions to support ourselves and our world." - Megan Devine, author of It's Ok that You're Not Ok
"With The Grieving Body, O'Connor remarkably combines fascinating science, intimate storytelling, and her generous heart to help us better understand the very human experience of living while grieving - and how to care for ourselves and our loved ones when grief inevitably arrives at our door." - - Lisa Keefauver, MSW, Author of Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss
"Mary Frances O'Connor demystifies the grieving process like no one else, offering comfort and understanding when we need it most. The Grieving Body deftly explains the physical changes our bodies undergo after loss and gives us the tools we so desperately need to move through the overwhelming experience of grief. I will be recommending this book to all of my clients." - Claire Bidwell Smith, therapist and author of Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief
"The Grieving Body is an eye-opening read as Dr. O'Connor skillfully combines compassion with scientific insight, offering wisdom alongside practical advice. She emphasizes that loss affects not only our emotions and mental health but also our physical well-being. This book is vital for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of grief and its effects on the body's various systems. Packed with invaluable insights and meaningful guidance, it is a crucial resource for those who are grieving." - Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, author of Bearing the Unbearable
"a profound and compassionate guide to understanding how grief manifests in the body and how healing can occur on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. The book is grounded in scientific research, yet it maintains an accessible and empathetic tone, making it a valuable resource for both those experiencing grief and the professionals who support them. By blending scientific insight with practical advice, O'Connor offers a path toward healing that acknowledges the full complexity of the grieving process, validating the physical reality of loss while offering hope for recovery." - James R. Doty, MD, author of Into the Magic Shop
"An excellent choice for readers seeking bereavement support." - Library Journal (starred review)
