The Grieving Body: How to Heal After Loss with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor

We all understand the emotional impact of grief, but its effects on the body are often overlooked. Forrest is joined by clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor to explore the physiology of grief. Dr. O’Connor explains how our brains and bodies organize themselves around the people we love, creating “maps” of their presence and relying on them for physical and emotional regulation. They discuss the health risks associated with bereavement, how to care for the healing body, ambiguous loss, the difference between grief and prolonged grief, and how we can gradually build a meaningful life around loss. About our Guest: Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Arizona and Director of the Grief, Loss, and Social Stress Laboratory. She is the author of two books on grief: The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body. Key Topics: 00:00: Intro 4:42: The map that no longer exists 12:00: Co-regulation: the attachment figure as an external pacemaker 16:35: Physiological effects of grief 24:53: Taking care of yourself after a loss 36:46: Protest, despair, and meditative practices 45:45: Prolonged grief and getting stuck in restoration 57:31: Progressive Muscle Relaxation vs mindfulness 1:03:00: Re-engaging with the world 1:15:42: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/BEINGWELL. Level up your bedding with Quince. Go to Quince.com/BEINGWELL for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. Visit Upwork.com to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices