Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We all understand the emotional impact of grief, but its effects on the body are often overlooked. Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor to explore the physiology of grief, and how we can build a meaningful life around loss.
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. We also discuss the health risks associated with bereavement, how to care for the healing body, moving from protest to despair, ambiguous loss, and the difference between grief and prolonged grief.
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
33:02 [Sponsor] Rocket Money
34:15 Protest, despair, and meditative practices
45:45 Prolonged grief and getting stuck in restoration
57:31 Progressive Muscle Relaxation vs mindfulness
58:49 [Sponsor] Upwork
1:00:01 Re-engaging with the world
1:15:42 Recap
Sponsors:
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at 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.
I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.
Subscribe to Being Well on:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-well-with-dr-rick-hanson/id1120885936
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5d87ZU1XY0fpdYNSEwXLVQ
Who Am I: I'm Forrest, the co-author of Resilient (amzn.to/3iXLerD) and host of the Being Well Podcast (apple.co/38ufGG0). I'm making videos focused on simplifying psychology, mental health, and personal growth.
Subscribe to Rick on YouTube: youtube.com/@RickHanson?sub_confirmation=1
Get Rick's Free Newsletters: rickhanson.com/writings/newsletters-from-dr-rick-hanson
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You can follow me here:
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We all understand the emotional impact of grief, but its effects on the body are often overlooked. Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor to explore the physiology of grief, and how we can build a meaningful life around loss.
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. We also discuss the health risks associated with bereavement, how to care for the healing body, moving from protest to despair, ambiguous loss, and the difference between grief and prolonged grief.
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
33:02 [Sponsor] Rocket Money
34:15 Protest, despair, and meditative practices
45:45 Prolonged grief and getting stuck in restoration
57:31 Progressive Muscle Relaxation vs mindfulness
58:49 [Sponsor] Upwork
1:00:01 Re-engaging with the world
1:15:42 Recap
Sponsors:
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at 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.
I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.
Subscribe to Being Well on:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-well-with-dr-rick-hanson/id1120885936
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5d87ZU1XY0fpdYNSEwXLVQ
Who Am I: I'm Forrest, the co-author of Resilient (amzn.to/3iXLerD) and host of the Being Well Podcast (apple.co/38ufGG0). I'm making videos focused on simplifying psychology, mental health, and personal growth.
Subscribe to Rick on YouTube: youtube.com/@RickHanson?sub_confirmation=1
Get Rick's Free Newsletters: rickhanson.com/writings/newsletters-from-dr-rick-hanson
Follow Rick Here:
🌍 rickhanson.com
📸 instagram.com/rickhansonphd
You can follow me here:
🎤 apple.co/38ufGG0
🌍 forresthanson.com
📸 instagram.com/f.hanson
