How Exercise Can Help with the Grief Process

Exercise is an excellent activity during the grief process. Working out has been shown to offer numerous benefits, including emotional, mental, cognitive, and physical advantages. If you are looking for a natural treatment for grief, research how regular exercise can help.

An Overview of the Grief Process

The grief process can be summarized in stages. Emotionally, most people move through the grief process until they reach acceptance. That is not to say that they will not feel grief about their loss again. It means that the power of their grief won’t stop them in their tracks or keep them from moving forward with their life.

The grief process includes shock, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. People can get stuck in a specific stage or cycle back through the stages several times before they reach acceptance and healing.

How Exercise Helps

Exercise is the physical movement of your body. It doesn’t have to be vigorous activity for an hour a day. Exercise can be a brisk walk once a day or an evening Pilates session. However, getting your heart pumping will benefit your body and mind.

It’s an outlet for emotions Exercise is a way to express your feelings. You can use kickboxing as a way to let out anger and frustration. Or, choose yoga movements to ease tense muscles and release feelings of sadness and disappointment.

It boosts mood Endorphins make us feel good. Your brain releases endorphins and other chemicals to boost your mood, making you feel happier. Things seem a little brighter after a workout.

It’s a healthier coping mechanism Exercise is a healthier coping mechanism than turning to vices that may harm your physical and mental health. Focusing on progress over the result will keep your mind in the present.

It gives you a sense of control Grief leaves you feeling out of control. You cannot stop loss, and especially death. Exercise gives you that sense of control and accomplishment back. You’re doing something to safeguard your mental health during the grief process.

It relieves stress The chemicals released by the brain during exercise lower stress and blood pressure, regulate heart rate and breathing, and soothe muscles. Many people enjoy ending their day with a stroll a few hours before bedtime to help them unwind and relax.

It encourages social interaction We want to run and hide during the grief process, but what we really need is community. If you choose to, try exercising in a group format on a weekly or biweekly basis. This provides you with much-needed social interaction. Even better, ask a friend or family member to walk with you a few times a week for physical movement and private conversation.

Although exercising at any time is good for your body and mind, to get the most benefit, aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise. That equates to about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Don’t go it alone

The grief process can be long and emotional. Yet, it needs to be to allow the time and space to heal. Sometimes, we get stuck in the grief process, and our grief interferes with our daily life, including work, home, and relationships.

Call our office today at Texas Christian Counseling, Flower Mound to speak to a Christian counselor in Flower Mound, Texas about how counseling can help you move past the grief process and onward toward healing.