How Exercise Can Help With Grief

It is common to know that exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. However, most people are unaware of how exercise can help with...

Grief
June 26, 2025

It is common to know that exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health.

However, most people are unaware of how exercise can help with grief.

Exercise can be an excellent way to receive support for grief.

Grief can negatively affect a person's mental and physical health.

Exercise involves exerting a person's muscles with benefits to the mental and physical well-being of the person.

Exercise can help with grief by improving a grieving person's overall health.

One of the ways that exercise can help with grief is to serve as an outlet for the grief.

Intense feelings surround most people dealing with grief.

Exercise can be a healthy way to process these feelings and gain physical benefits.

You can find a community of people with the same interest when you begin to exercise.

Although it is not a necessary part of exercising, you are likely to get the opportunity to meet new people when you exercise.

You could meet new people on the run or walk.

Exercise can help with grief in the ways below:

It Facilitates Self-Care

Grief can take its toll on the health of a person.

Exercise provides many health benefits to your body.

This is one of the ways that exercise can help with grief.

Grief can help with depression and other negative thoughts.

This can cause a lack of motivation to be fit and take care of your body.

A grieving person can lose track of their physical appearance and health.

Exercise is a safe and effective way to care for your physical health.

Exercise can also help your mental health.

Exercise can boost your mood and reduce your anxiety, stress, and depression.

Although exercise is rewarding after a while, beginning exercise can be challenging.

It is essential to set realistic expectations for the exercise.

You can begin with small targets for your exercise and gradually increase your targets.

It Provides an Outlet

Grief can dominate the lives of those dealing with a loss.

A great tip to help escape being overwhelmed by grief is to find outlets to express grief.

An outlet is essentially a method to express your feelings.

An outlet can help people to deal with grief and the negative feelings associated with grief.

Finding a healthy outlet that works for a person can be challenging.

Exercise can help with grief by being an outlet to express your emotions.

The form of exercise that appeals to each person will depend on the needs of a grieving person.

People dealing with intense anger might benefit from running or boxing to express their feelings.

One of the benefits of exercise is that you also gain physical and mental health benefits for exercise.

It is vital to exercise in a safe manner.

Some people might become overwhelmed by their intense feelings and overwork their muscles.

Moderation and regulation during exercise are still necessary.

It Helps to Find a Community 

Grief can cause a feeling of isolation in most people.

Exercise can help with grief by allowing you to find a community.

Although exercise can be done alone, you are likely to interact with other people through exercise.

Exercise is any form of physical activity that exerts the body's muscles.

This means that a number of physical activities can be classified as exercise.

A grieving person can find a form of exercise that has a community.

For instance, a grieving person can exercise by joining a soccer team.

This will help to gain a sense of community again.

Sharing moments such as victory and losses with a group can help a person grieving.

A feeling of isolation can be a symptom of grief.

Exercise can address the feeling of being alone by driving a person to interact with others.

This might be from exchanging a few words at a gym or working out with others.

A group of friends jogging at night.

It Gives an Opportunity for Control

Loss can be a life-changing moment.

The death of a loved one can cause a person to reevaluate their entire lifestyle.

This could mean the feeling of a loss of control of one's own life.

When grieving self-reflection can be a positive act.

This might give you the opportunity to consider the things you have control over in life.

One of the things you can control is exercise.

One of the ways that exercise can help with grief is to give the sense of control back.

This can help you regain the feeling of control in your life.

You can also learn about the limits of your body in a positive manner.

You can determine the frequency of your exercise and how healthy you are.

You can also positively learn some of your limits.

One of the ways exercise can help with the grieving process is to regain a sense of control in your life. 

It Boosts Your Mood

It is usual to be deflated emotionally when processing grief.

A person dealing with grief might struggle to find positives in life.

Exercise can work as an emotional boost for most people.

Exercise can help the release of positive hormones in the brain.

Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins can act as pleasure givers to the body.

These hormones can also act as a pain reliever for the body.

Grief can bring the release of sadness and depression.

Exercise can combat the negative feelings that arise in grief with more positive emotions.

This is one of the ways that exercise can help with grief.

The impact of exercise on grieving people can be life-changing.

A person grieving can consider exercise in dark moments when suffering.

Physical activity and bodily movement will likely make it easier for a person grieving to change their mood.

Conclusion

Each person likely has their natural method of processing grief.

Exercise can be an effective form of receiving support for grief in most people.

Exercise can help with grief processing for most people by providing self-care, being an emotional outlet for grief, creating a sense of community, gaining control, and boosting your mood.

Resources 

https://patient.info/news-and-features/can-exercise-help-with-grief

https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/movement-can-help-with-grief/

https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-and-exercise/

https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/movement-can-help-with-grief/

https://www.memorialsofdistinction.co.uk/useful-guides/how-can-exercise-help-after-losing-a-loved-one

Author

Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions

Questions about Grief

How can I tell if I need grief counseling?

If you find yourself having difficulty managing daily activities due to lingering feelings associated with grief such as sadness, anger, guilt or numbness; then it might be beneficial for you to seek professional help through our Colorado Springs Grief Counseling services. Our therapists are trained in helping clients identify their needs and goals related to grieving.

What are some healthy ways to cope with the pain of a breakup?

There are many healthy ways to cope with the pain of a breakup. Some strategies include engaging in self-care activities, writing in a journal, reaching out to loved ones for support, and reframing your perspective. Additionally, seeking professional help can be an important step toward healing after a breakup.

Do I have to talk about my loss during grief counseling sessions?

It is not mandatory that all conversations revolve around the issue causing your grief but our therapists will provide guidance on how best to process the situation. You are in control of how much or little you want to share in a session, but it is important to stay open and honest with your therapist for optimal results.

What is complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder?

Complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief disorder, is when intense grief symptoms continue for an extended period, often longer than six months. This type of grief can result in difficulty resuming normal life activities and can lead to sleep problems.

How long does it take to get over a breakup?

There is no set timeline for overcoming a breakup. Everyone deals with grief in their own way and on their own time. While some may be able to move forward quickly, others may take longer. Remember that it's normal to experience a range of emotions as you heal and don't rush the process.

What are some things I can do to heal from my grief during the holidays?

There are a few things you can do to help ease your pain during the holiday season. First, try to avoid triggers that may cause you to feel sad or upset. Triggers can be anything from certain songs or smells, to seeing certain people or places. If you know there will be triggers at holiday gatherings, try to arrive late or leave early if possible. You can also try to create new traditions that don't involve the triggers.

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