During recovery after the affair, you may wonder ‘What happened to my body?’ There are times that you feel like it let you down in terms of energy level and stamina. When you are faced with a life changing shock, you body needs time to deal with it. During this time, you will need to remember the basics of sleep, nourishment and exercise. Given that you brain uses a large amount of energy, the more you think, and sort through what happened, the more it will take out of you. If you are one of those who thinks that only physical exertion can drain your energy, you will be in for a surprise.
The need for self-care is important. That is why it is dealt with in the first chapter of my e-book on recovering from an affair. You not only need sleep, you need regular sleeping patterns. Going until you collapse is a sure way to make your recovery take longer. Set up regular sleep times that start well before midnight. It is also best if you shut down computers and television at least two hours before bedtime. When you spend your time on these devices, your brain may still be ‘wide awake’, even though your body is tired.
Besides sleep, you need nourishment and hydration. Although you may not feel like eating, you need to. You need to eat healthy meals. Subsisting on coffee, fast food or processed foods is a sure recipe for extending the time that you feel bad. Even if your meals are small, you will need to eat something. Sugary foods and processed foods have chemicals that can mess up your metabolism even worse than it is. When your brain is not nourished, it does not work properly. When your brain does not work properly, it is not sorting through the information and solving problems the way it needs to.
You also need exercise. One of the best is going for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine. There is something curative about fresh air and sunshine. If you live in the Pacific northwest, this may be a challenge. During recovery, you need to go outside, even though you may not feel like it. There is something about being in the midst of God’s creation and having your feet on the ground that is healing. The experience of walking often gives you a grounding, both physically and emotionally. Getting that grounded experience will help you regain ‘yourself’.
Best Regards,
Jeff Murrah
