What is grief exhaustion?

Unlike normal tiredness that often disappears with sufficient rest and adequate sleep, grief exhaustion is a far more intense and pervasive fatigue. Following the loss of a spouse, our entire world is up-ended and we’re thrust into a deeply painful and unfamiliar existence. As we grapple with all that is thrown at us, our body and mind can often feel under constant attack, leaving us feeling empty and hollowed out. And, with zero time to recover, we can enter into a state of burn out, which no amount of sleep or rest can fix.

How does grief exhaustion show up?

Grief exhaustion can manifest in several different ways - physically, mentally and socially. Whether we experience a range of these symptoms, or just a handful, they can nonetheless feel incredibly overwhelming. 

Physically

Grief exhaustion can decimate our physical health, leaving us weakened, depleted and unwell. It is often characterised by an intense and unrelenting fatigue and loss of energy...