ABJ Video Blog: EXERCISE – Meet GARY & SUSAN

Video Script:

This is Gary and Susan.  They chose to heal after losing their son in an auto accident. You can understand that Gary and Susan underwent a very difficult time trying to adjust to life without their son.  It was natural not to have energy, through that lonely time envisioning a future without Josh.

My name is Barbara J Hopkinson of A Butterfly’s Journey To a New Normal.  We help individuals and families struggling with grief to find a new normal after experiencing loss of a child or other traumatic loss.

The fact that you are experiencing something devastating that you never thought would happen to you is exactly why it is normal not to look after yourself like Gary and Susan.  This is why we suggest exercise to help you keep your energy and your mood elevated.

It is important to get regular exercise after the loss of a loved one.  Exercise has been proven as a mood-enhancer, and can help you relax as well as open up to healing.  Research shows that exercise can also help alleviate long-term depression. Your body and mind have had a very traumatic blow, and exercise can hep you heal physically and emotionally. 

Try walking daily and/or yoga weekly for short periods.  Then you can increase length or frequency once you see good results.

Some suggestions to get started with exercise:

• Pick something you really enjoy — you won’t stick with it if you hate it
• Start with short sessions of 15 minutes, increase as it feels good
• Choose to do this alone or with a friend, at home or in a gym/studio.

Exercise is cathartic and strengthening.  It was for Gary and Susan  as they chose to heal. 

If you found this video to be helpful them share it and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.  If you have any questions please comment below. Once again, I am Barbara J Hopkinson of A Butterfly’s Journey To a New Normal.  We help individuals and families struggling with grief after traumatic loss to find a new normal.