The physical effects of emotional pain

[ttdriver]

I've discovered something this week.

Since my mother died and the WELL of emotions that go with it have surfaced, I can tell you one thing: when you are emotionally DRAINED, your physical stamina and strength suffer.

While I will admit that I haven't eaten much since last Friday which of course has taken its toll on my physical strength, its the emotional side of things which I think has really zapped my energy.

You all know that I run and run LOTS of miles in a week; averaging about 35 miles a week here lately. Up until last week. That's when I hit the emotional WALL.

I haven't been hungry AT ALL .. food is repulsive to me. When steak doesn't do it for me, you know there's a problem. Eating just seems so stupid and yet I know I need to eat to fuel my running.

Today, I tried to run. 6 miles, nothing serious. And even so, I ended up walking a great deal more than running. Nothing wrong with walking, but its not me ... I love to run! And under normal circumstances, I could. But right now I am struggling so much. Running a mile feels like mile 26 of a marathon. Every inch of my being is hurting.

DH keeps encouraging me to eat, telling me if I don't, then I can't run. You'd think that would be enough to get me to eat, but its not. Dang, I can't shake this!!

I'm just amazed at how our bodies work in syncopation; when we are feeling good emotionally, then our bodies react strong physically. When we are hurting emotionally, our physical strength suffers. We are truly amazingly made!

I will persevere though; I refuse to lose any ground because of what's happened in my life the past week. I'll keep fighting the good fight; running as best I can until my strength comes back.

Life is hard.

Betty

[cypressgirl]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

Betty, you push yourself so hard. We are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are not going to lose ground if you let yourself take a much needed rest. As much as you know about exercise, you know when your body needs a break but you have to allow for the mental part too! And if you can't eat....well, pushing too hard just might have a bad affect. I am sending you hugs and hoping that you are back on the fast track soon!

[Atkid]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

You are going through such a tough time right now. First your mothers death and then the car accident, you need to take a few days to just rest. Hugs to you, take care.

[2big4mysize]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

grief has physical symptoms too Betty. You will be able to run again as you work through your grief. I know I didn't go to the gym for months after my dad died last yr time constraints and the lack of actually wanting it badly enough to get time to go finally stopped and I'm back in the gym again.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

Yes, Betty listen to your Body it's telling you it needs to rest. Remeber what you always tell me Rest RECOVER you need to do this for your body and for you. Allow yourself to grieve and allow yourself to have a few days off. It'll do your body a lot of good Bring your energy up and allow you to just relax from the every day. I know you love to run like I love to run but, you have to listen like I had to listen or you are gunna burn yourself out so hard you'll end up taking a back slide. For now Sweety ((HUGS)) try to eat anything even if it's a sahke you need food to fuel your body Take care of you your Body is a MAchine and it's crying for you to feed it so please do so. I know how hard it is But ya just gotta.


((((HUGS))))

Sarah

[ttdriver]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

Thanks, you guys. I am definitely gonna give myself time to grieve. Not sure how long though .. I never was one to sit back too long!! I'm a firm believer that sometimes life hurts, but you gotta keep going .. Rivers still keep flowing even when they hit rocks along the way..........yanno? I know time is the best healer ....

I really appreciate the love and support you guys give me!!

Betty

[Jerzaka]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain



I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my mother too. It's been 2 years now and honestly, I feel like I'm just really recovering now. Grief is an extremely personal thing, everyone is different. Some people need to work, others need to take time off, a few will cry all the time, a few not until years later.

For me, the first 12 months were a blur, then I had some medical problems of my own. Compound that with depression from her death and here I am, overweight and right back where I started over 8 years ago.

The doctor recommended antidepressants immediately following her death and I did take them for a short time, but then decided they weren't right for me.. Society made me think they were over prescribed and I listened. Looking back, I should have listened to my doctor.

Depression, any way you look at it causes many symptoms. Loss of hunger, hunger, insomnia, sleeping too much, physical pain, emotional pain, anger, (anger at the grocery clerk girl, your spouse, your children, your best friend, your boss, heck...anyone) and so much more. Too many symptoms to list.

I don't know how to explain this and perhaps this will come out all wrong, but, here goes. I knew I was down in the dumps and depressed. I knew I suppose to be. My mother died for gods sake! What I didn't get was everyone around me telling me how long was an "appropriate" time to grieve was. Oh god, and the insensitive comments people would make. I know now that they must have meant well, but honestly, I wish they would have kept their mouths shut. No one can tell you how to get through this. No one!

Even though I feel more at ease with dealing with my mother's passing, it's still hard. Her mother (my grandmother) is now extremely ill. There's nothing more that can be done for her and hospice says it's any day now. While I think I'll get through that a little more easily, I have no idea. I could slip right back in to depression. None of us can predict how we'll handle it.

My heart goes out to you, dear. And hey, if you think antidepressants may help. Give 'em a try. They're not forever. They're simply a tool we can utilize to help us recover from life's tragedies.

[ttdriver]

Re: The physical effects of emotional pain

DAWN...

Thank you for your understanding words of empathy. It means alot.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother .. time does heal to a certain extent, but exactly as you said, its different for everyone.

I am feeling better this week and I have every hope that I will continue to feel better. I took ADs for a year for other reasons, and weaned off of them last January. I never want to take them again. Hated what they made me feel like. HATED IT. Trying to go off them was sheer ****. Took me over a month before the side effects went away and I felt "normal" again. I've sworn I will never ever take them again and I won't.

I'm just giving myself alot of time to work through things. My appetite is coming back and I am able to run again, so that's a good sign. All in all, I am doing pretty well now...a ways to go to be sure, but certainly better.

Thanks again for your kind sympathies. I hope and pray you stay strong. Your mother would want you to and would mine!

Betty