As part of our aftercare support, we have commissioned some articles from our resident therapist.
We often hear of what was once seen as someone dying of a broken heart.
With science catching up on what is an age-old phenomenon we now know this to be cardiomyopathy and it’s down to the body’s reaction to intense stress resulting from loss. Hormones are life giving electro biochemical messengers that help the mind and body communicate in all situations and are often out of conscious control.
Cortisol streams through our bodies every day along with adrenaline to prime us for waking reactions to situations. This is, until melatonin (our sleep hormone) starts to elevate late afternoon into evenings to get your body and mind to start preparing for essential sleep, recovery and recuperation for the next day.
Prolonged and heightened Cortisol patterns can lead to problems and it is a natural reaction to acute shock and prolonged stress. Sadly, there have been many cases where the correlation between the loss of a loved one and the other soon following, adds weight to this phenomenon.
It is essential that protocols for self-healing, de-stress and lifestyle management takes place.
This may be the last thing on a person’s mind while experiencing loss.
Think of it this way, how would your loved one want for you to be? Living on and loving your life in their absence after all, that is how they live on in you, so to speak.
You owe it to them and especially yourself if you can modify any lifestyle ways to serve you to be clearer and healthier than ever. Granted, it’s easier said than done whilst in the mix of Grief.
Each day, make a positive healthier lifestyle step. So you know that you’re doing something.
The four Pillars of health – eating, sleeping and moving lead to a healthier life, we know this. Remember, activity induced adrenaline burns off Cortisol/Adrenaline brought on from psychological stress. Activities that are gentle like walks, Yoga/Pilates.
There is no time to lose for you to initiate changes. Don’t pressure yourself as this is counter-productive. Embrace the small changes you can make and know it be in the name of celebrating your health as you tread the path of Grief, which takes its own toll. Taking care of you yourself, possibly in a better way than you have ever done before is the best legacy.
If you need further help, please feel free to read more from this series or contact one of the bereavement support groups here.
References –
Tonkin, Dr Lois (1996) Growing around Grief, Jessica Kingsley Publishers UK
Samuel, Julia Samuel (2018) Grief Works, Penguin Life
Kubler Ross, Elizabeth. Kessler, David. Shriver, Maria (2005) On Grief and Grieving, Simon and Schuster
Chek, Paul (2004) How to Eat, Move and be Healthy. Chek Institute, LLC