Watching the news or reading a newspaper lately, we are bombarded by global conflict, economic uncertainty, and extreme violence in our own cities. This constant exposure creates a steady stream of disruption—one that can affect us much like grief, due to sudden changes and ruptures in our sense of safety and predictability.

Our brain interprets grief as stress. As a result, it activates our stress-response systems, especially the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These systems release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are meant to protect the body in short-term crises.

In acute grief, these responses are adaptive. They help us cope with shock and disruption. If unresolved, however, the same systems can become dysregulated. Your neuroendocrine system can produce more substantial amounts of cortisol, which can, in turn, lead to inflammation and the development of chronic illness or even death. For example, long-term studies on stress report that up to 80 percent of patients with autoimmune disorders experienced excessive emotional stress before being diagnosed.

In December 2016, actress Carrie Fisher, of "Star Wars" fame, died four days after suffering a massive heart attack. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds,........

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