Each of you has, or will, deal with the loss of a loved one at some point in your life. And each of you must find your own personal way of dealing with the grief associated with this loss. The danger is that grief often gives us the mental OK to slip back into old habits like taking comfort in food or allowing us to slip out of our regular exercise routine.
What you may not realize is that grief causes tremendous stress on your body. It weakens your immune system making you more susceptible to illness. At this time it is more important than ever to eat healthy foods, exercise and get plenty of rest.
That being said, it is easy to get caught up in how you feel and what you've lost and forget about your health. Not only that, but it is often difficult to muster up enough energy to do anything about it. Grief often causes trouble sleeping which can leave you feeling tired during the day. A little exercise can help you get better quality sleep at night.
The key is "a little exercise." Starting out small, even walking for five or 10 minutes a day, can release endorphins that can improve your mood. Little by little you will find more energy to exercise for longer periods of time. Exercise can help return feelings of control to your life. Even when you are feeling out of control mentally and emotionally, you can be in control of your physical body.
Exercise shouldn't be used as a way of avoiding grieving but it can be an empowering way of regaining control and appreciation of life after a loss. Don't let the loss of a loved one be a reason to give up on your own health. Think of how proud they would be that you are taking care of yourself and your body so that you can live a long, healthy life.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
