Grief and the Body: How Breathwork Helps Release Suppressed Emotions

Grief is a profound emotional response to loss, but what many don’t realize is that it doesn’t just affect the mind—it also lives in the body. When grief isn’t fully processed, it can become stored as tension, pain, and even illness. Over time, these suppressed emotions can manifest as anxiety, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, and an overall sense of being stuck.

Breathwork is a powerful tool that allows us to access these deeply held emotions and release them in a safe and controlled way. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on the mind, breathwork works with the body’s innate ability to heal. Through intentional breathing patterns, we can regulate the nervous system, shift stagnant energy, and create space for healing.

In this blog, we’ll explore how grief is stored in the body, how breathwork facilitates emotional release, and why it’s such a valuable practice for those navigating loss.

Understanding How Grief Affects the Body

Grief is often associated with sadness, but it’s much more complex than that. It can bring up feelings of anger, guilt, numbness, anxiety, and even relief—all of which are completely normal. When these emotions are not fully processed, they become trapped in the body, leading to a range of physical symptoms.

Some of the most common ways grief manifests physically include:

1. Tightness in the Chest or Throat

Many people experiencing grief report feeling a heavy weight on their chest or a lump in their throat. This is often due to unexpressed emotions that are physically restricting the breath.

2. Shallow Breathing and Breath-Holding

When we are grieving, our nervous system is often in a heightened state of stress. This can lead to shallow breathing or even unconsciously holding the breath, signaling to the body that it is in a prolonged state of distress.

3. Chronic Fatigue and Low Energy

Suppressing emotions requires energy. Over time, unresolved grief can lead to exhaustion, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

4. Muscle Tension and Pain

The body stores emotional pain in different areas, commonly the shoulders, jaw, and lower back. If grief is not processed, it can contribute to chronic pain or tension.

5. Digestive Issues

The gut and brain are deeply connected. When grief is suppressed, it can disrupt digestion, leading to issues such as bloating, nausea, or appetite changes.

Grief is not just an emotional experience—it is a full-body response. This is why practices like breathwork, which engage both the mind and body, can be so effective in facilitating healing.

What Is Breathwork?

Breathwork is a therapeutic practice that involves conscious, controlled breathing techniques to release stored emotions, regulate the nervous system, and create a state of deep relaxation. Unlike traditional meditation, which is passive, breathwork is active—it works by shifting the body’s physiology to help clear emotional and energetic blockages.

Breathwork has been used for centuries in different cultures, from yogic pranayama to indigenous healing ceremonies. Today, science is beginning to confirm what ancient traditions have long known: that breathwork can profoundly impact emotional and physical well-being.

How Breathwork Helps Release Suppressed Grief

Breathwork creates a direct pathway to access and release grief stored in the body. Here’s how:

1. Activates the Nervous System to Support Emotional Release

Grief often keeps the body stuck in a dysregulated state, whether in fight-or-flight mode (anxiety, restlessness) or freeze mode (numbness, disconnection). Breathwork helps bring the nervous system back into balance by increasing oxygen flow and calming the stress response.

2. Releases Stored Trauma and Stagnant Energy

When we suppress grief, it doesn’t disappear—it stays locked in our tissues, muscles, and organs. Breathwork encourages the body to release these trapped emotions, often resulting in physical sensations like tingling, shaking, or warmth, which indicate energy moving.

3. Allows for a Safe Emotional Release

Many people experience tears, laughter, or waves of emotion during breathwork. This is a natural and necessary part of the healing process. By creating space for emotions to surface, we can finally process what has been held inside.

4. Creates a Deep Mind-Body Connection

Grief often disconnects us from our bodies, leaving us feeling numb or dissociated. Breathwork brings us back into the present moment, fostering a sense of grounding and self-awareness.

5. Restores Energy and Vitality

After releasing grief through breathwork, many people describe feeling lighter, as if a weight has been lifted. This renewed sense of clarity and openness allows for deeper healing and transformation.

The Science Behind Breathwork and Emotional Healing

Research shows that breathwork can have profound effects on the brain and body. Here are some key findings:

• Reduces Cortisol Levels: A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that deep breathing exercises significantly lower cortisol (the stress hormone), helping to regulate emotions.

• Increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A high HRV is linked to better emotional resilience. Breathwork has been shown to improve HRV, making it easier to cope with grief and stress.

• Enhances Oxygenation: Breathwork increases oxygen flow to the brain, which improves cognitive function and mood.

• Releases Endorphins: Conscious breathing stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals.

Breathwork for Grief at The Guides

At The Guides, we offer personalized, 1-on-1 breathwork sessions designed specifically for grief healing. Unlike group settings, which may feel overwhelming for someone processing deep emotions, private sessions allow for a safe and supportive space to fully experience emotional release without judgment.

During a session, you will be guided through intentional breathing techniques to help access suppressed grief, move through stuck emotions, and restore inner balance. Each session is tailored to where you are in your healing journey, providing a deeply personal and transformative experience.

What to Expect in a Grief-Focused Breathwork Session

• A Safe and Private Space – Sessions are held in a supportive environment where you can process emotions freely.

• Guided Breathwork Techniques – You will be led through breath patterns designed to release grief and tension.

• Emotional Release – It’s common to experience sensations, memories, or emotions rising to the surface—this is part of the healing process.

• Integration & Reflection – After breathwork, we take time to ground, reflect, and integrate the experience.

Is Breathwork Right for You?

If you are struggling with grief and feel emotionally stuck, breathwork may be a valuable tool in your healing journey. Whether you have experienced a recent loss or are carrying unprocessed grief from the past, breathwork provides a pathway to release and renewal.

Book a Breathwork Session Today

Grief does not need to stay trapped in the body. By engaging in conscious connected breathwork, you can create space for healing, allowing yourself to process loss in a healthy, supportive way.

Are you ready to release and heal? Book a private breathwork session at The Guides today.