Book & podcast collection

The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing

Neuroscientist and psychologist Mary-Frances O'Connor explains grief as a whole-body process shaped by the brain, nervous system, immune response, sleep, and stress physiology. Building on research into bereavement, she shows why loss can alter attention, memory, pain, and physical health—and why those reactions are not simply signs of emotional weakness. The book distinguishes the natural adaptation of grieving from patterns that may require additional care, while exploring practices that can support recovery. O'Connor presents healing not as forgetting or “moving on,” but as the body and mind gradually learning to live in a changed world.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 2025
Format: Print edition
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780063338906

Subjects

Grief Health Psychology Stress

Choose a subject to discover similar books and author interviews.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Bookshop.org Publisher website

Listen now

Interview with the Author

4 available interview links

1. Curating Grief — The Grieving Brain and The Belongings: Mary-Frances O'ConnorChecked

No verified Spotify link found.

2. End-of-Life University — Ep. 557 The Grieving Body: Loss as a Healing Opportunity with Mary-Frances O’Connor PhDChecked

No verified Spotify link found.

3. Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson — The Grieving Body: How to Heal After Loss with Dr. Mary-Frances O'ConnorChecked

No verified Spotify link found.

4. New Books in Psychology — Mary-Frances O’Connor, The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can be an Opportunity for Healing (Harper One, 2025)Checked

No verified Spotify link found.