Mary-Frances O’Connor is one of the foremost experts on the impact of grief on the brain and the body. That’s why host Lisa Keefauver was thrilled to welcome her back to the podcast for a second time to discuss her latest book The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing. Just as Mary-Frances did in her book, she combines fascinating science, intimate storytelling, and her generous heart to help us better understand the physiological impact of the stressors of grief. Some of the themes explored include:

• Stress is a significant factor in the grieving process.
• Grief can significantly impact physical health, particularly cardiovascular health.
• Every small act of agency contributes to healing.
• The body has a natural resilience and ability to recover from grief.
• Life after loss involves adapting to new realities and understanding changes.
• Grieving is a continuous learning curve that requires practice.
• Attachment plays a crucial role in how we experience grief.
• Social connections can alleviate some of the physiological impacts of grief.

MARY-FRANCES O’CONNOR, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her first book The Grieving Brain was included on Oprah’s list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O’Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona. Visit www.maryfrancesoconnor.org to learn more.

Lisa Keefauver is a social worker, widow, and grief activist on a mission to reimagine the narratives of grief, one conversation at a time.

Learn more at www.lisakeefauver.com.

Follow @lisakeefauvermsw on Instagram.

Listen to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast - Available on all podcast platforms.

Read Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss. Available in bookstores and on your favorite online booksellers, including Bookshop.Org.

Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less here

Subscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here

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