Love hurts: the ways in which heartbreak affects you physically

Heart
Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Physical pain

Physical and emotional pain activate the same brain region. Your brain convinces your body that emotional pain is real, even if it's not physical.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Specific body parts

Heartbreak can impact multiple body parts. It may lead to stomach cramps, nausea, and headaches, revealing the interconnectedness between emotions and physical sensations.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Withdrawal

Love, like drugs, triggers the release of happy chemicals in the brain, leading to addiction. When love abruptly vanishes, withdrawal symptoms may arise, affecting your emotional well-being.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Stress hormones

Stress hormones can cause havoc in your body, resulting in indigestion, cramping, stomach pain, and increased sensitivity in your immune system.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Immune system

A weakened immune system increases vulnerability to viruses and bacteria, elevating the risk of various illnesses and infections.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Insomnia

Heartbreak often leads to insomnia, a common symptom. Despite physical exhaustion, the mind races, replaying past scenarios and imagining new ones, making it challenging to fall asleep at night.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Weight loss

Grief elicits diverse reactions in individuals. Stress hormones from heartbreak can diminish appetite and induce physical discomfort after eating, varying from person to person.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Weight gain

In contrast, some may experience weight gain due to the urge to binge eat, seeking comfort or distraction. Discover effective strategies to combat this tendency and promote a healthier approach to coping with emotions.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Brain effects

Emotional distress can impair cognitive function, leading to feelings of confusion and lack of focus, as stated by Bolde.

Dot