Nurturing Your Physical Wellness Amidst the Grief

Nurturing Your Physical Wellness Amidst the Grief

Losing a child was once an unimaginable nightmare. Yet, for me, it is now a reality and one that shook me to my core. For you, it may be the loss of a pregnancy, baby, infant, young or adult child. It may be a sibling, spouse, or parent at a young age. No matter your loss, it was certainly not part of the plan. And I know focusing on physical wellness given any of these circumstances and the grief that follows may seem insignificant at this time. This is okay. Yet, I encourage you to be open to exploring ways that benefit both your health and your healing at some point. It can be a lifeline in navigating the very complex emotions we experience and finding solace amidst the devastation.

The Role of Physical Wellness in Healing

While grief may feel all-consuming, incorporating physical wellness practices into our daily routine can provide a sense of grounding and resilience in the chaos.

Focusing on physical wellness can provide the following:

1. Outlet for Emotions

Physical activity and movement serve as a powerful outlet for the intense emotions that accompany grief. Whether it's going for a run, pounding around some weights, participating in a kickboxing class to release pent-up frustration or practicing yoga, committing to a simple morning stretching routine, or a walk in nature to find moments of peace, movement allows us to express and process our emotions in healthy ways.

2. Stress Reduction and Coping Mechanism

The stress of grieving can take a toll on our bodies, weakening our immune system and exacerbating existing health issues. Engaging in regular exercise or movement helps to reduce stress levels, promotes relaxation for better sleep, and provides healthier coping mechanisms for managing the overwhelming emotions that can arise in grief.

3. Connection to the Body

Grief often leaves us feeling disconnected from our bodies, as if we are merely going through the motions of life. Physical wellness practices such as mindfulness, meditation, massage therapy, dance, and weightlifting can help us reconnect with our bodies and foster a sense of presence and acceptance in the moment.

4. Honoring their Memory

Incorporating physical wellness activities that were once meaningful to your loved one can be a beautiful way to honor their memory and a way to keep their spirit alive. Whether it's planting a garden in their honor, participating in a charity walk, or dedicating a yoga practice to them, finding ways to stay active in ways that resonate with their interests and passions can bring comfort and connection. If your loved one died young and you didn’t get the chance to know their likes and interests, use this opportunity to explore opportunities and experiences for yourself with them on your mind. I have always said that by honoring your life, you are honoring their life.

Embrace Physical Wellness as Part of the Healing Journey

At the end of the day, you are the only one who can get in your way. We can become "comfortable" in the sorrow, sadness, and heavy grief. At times, it may feel like we are dishonoring our loved ones if we do anything but stay in this place. Yet, it is so courageous and BRAVE to recognize this and choose to change the dynamic and to shift the pain we carry to be more about life, not death.

No, we cannot change the fact that our loved one is no longer physically here. And yes, the pain will always be here. But can we be so bold to use this pain to do beautiful and amazing things?! I believe we can. It just sometimes takes someone else to see it within us, to let us know it's there, and to help us get out of our own way.

Integrating physical wellness practices into our daily lives can be a conduit to assist us in experiencing life while offering moments of solace, strength, and connection. Be gentle with yourself and allow space for the ebbs and flows of grief.

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• Listeners

• Implementors

• Occupiers

• Naysayers

Find encouragement within a support group of individuals who have experienced a similar loss, and provide guidance, inspiration, and motivation along the way, invest in community opportunities and experiences, therapists, coaches, and mentors, and continually try various modalities that help you live out your life and fully experience it.

Though the journey of grief and healing is often messy and hard, physical wellness can be a beacon of hope, guiding us toward living a BRAVE life full of possibility.