Grief Gets Physical
When someone we love dies, we grieve. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, isolation and depression commonly occur. It’s par for the course. But in addition to producing emotional manifestations, did you know that grief gets physical? In fact, someone who is mourning can experience as many (or more) associated physical symptoms as the emotional pain facing their psyche.
Physical Manifestations of Grief
- Changes in Weight
People tend to either lose weight or gain during this time period. So, don’t let the change worry you. Instead, focus on adopting healthy habits that will carry you beyond the point of extreme grief. Weightier matters deserve your attention. If digestion issues plague you, take it easy on difficult-to-digest foods such as dairy, nuts and seeds. Focus on healthy comfort foods like broiled chicken, bananas, applesauce and rice. - Fatigue
Depressed people often report feeling exhausted. Some of this may be owed to lack of sleep. But beyond that, you might feel as though you’ve been hit by a truck. Emotionally speaking, you have. So, why wouldn’t your body respond in similar fashion? Set aside the “to do” list. There will be plenty of time to conquer it later. - Motor Skills & Memory
Do you feel like you are losing your mind? If so, take heart. Memory loss is part and parcel with grief. For reasons few of us understand, the brain operates differently while we are actively grieving than at other points in time. In fact, several regions of the brainplay a role in emotion, including areas within the limbic system and pre-frontal cortex.Associated resulting symptoms include emotional regulation, memory, multi-tasking, organization and learning. So, try not to freak out. These types of issues may resolve themselves long before they require medicinal intervention.
- Pain
While people who are grieving understand the cause of their emotional pain, few understand the reason they also simultaneously experience physical pain. In many cases, despite the absence of a fall or injury widows and widowers report feeling extreme pain in their extremities, head, trunk or all of the above. Some battle rashes. Others face headaches. Whatever the effect – you know the source…one of the myriad ways grief rears its ugly head.
How to Heal
Take Your Time
Widows and widowers understand the need to process their emotions after a significant loss. But few understand that, equally important, is the need to take care of their bodies. People say, “time heals all wounds.” To someone with a weighty loss, the adage may sound trite. But it’s true. In part, you may have to just walk a rough road until each step gets a little easier.
Eat and Drink Even if You Can’t Yet Be Merry
Whether you tend to over-eat or starve yourself when you’re stressed, grief is serious. You need to take care of yourself. If neighbors or church friends offer to bring casseroles, take the up on the offer. If they provide too much food or unhealthy choices, eat a normal portion whether you feel hungry or not. Try to remember to drink plenty of water since dehydration leads to other physical ailments.
Rest
Grief often disrupts normal sleep patterns. So, decide to do your best to develop a routine that allows plenty of opportunity for some much-needed shuteye. Minimize distractions by silencing electronics. And avoid caffeinated beverages at least three hours before you hit the hay. Be kind to yourself.
About Foothill Funeral & Cremation in Glendora, California
If you are grieving, we would love to offer help. Click here for resources you may find helpful. We would also value the opportunity to celebrate your loved one’s life or help you pre-plan a service for yourself. Feel free to contact us now to pre-plan your own memorial or at your time of need (626) 335-0615. Our relationship with United Methodist Church and Sacred Heart provide great places for mourners to host funerals and memorials. You’ll love the grandiose yet intimate settings in both locations. Also, we specialize in helping with burial arrangements. Foothill Funeral proudly serves the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Finally, working in the mortuary industry since 1996, our reputation is one of quality, sincerity and trust. Please allow us to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or contact us via email.