By Ariane de Bonvoisin —

When faced with grief, it’s tempting to curl up in a ball and hide. But any bit of movement you make will actually help dissipate the tension and anxiety you’re feeling and will get you through the darkness and into a new phase of light.

You cannot stay in an emotionally stuck place when you are using your body. That’s why movement is so essential during transitions. Forward momentum prevents us from becoming trapped in one way of feeling. When we are going through a difficult change, we need to physically move because lots of energy is swirling around within us–emotional, physical, and psychic energy.

When we stay still, that energy does not circulate. If you find yourself stuck in a place of grief and wondering what to do, simply start moving. Exercise, clean the house, go grocery shopping – just get up and go anywhere. That’s always the right answer!

Remember that different emotions are accessed when you exercise, emotions that make you feel better and boost your confidence. Also, we release psychic and mental energy through the body when we move. Yoga, walking, and biking are all wonderful ways of letting this energy out and preventing us from feeling heavy, tired, and sluggish.

Grieving takes a lot of energy. But instead of turning to our health to make us feel better during difficult times, we abandon it. In fact, when we are going through a challenging change, it is often one of the first areas we let go; we get lethargic and become irresponsible about our fitness and diet.

If you are feeling healthy, strong, fit, sexy, and happy with your body on a regular basis, you will have a healthy foundation of energy and self-esteem, which will help you get through the most difficult of emotional situations.

Adapted from The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change by Ariane de Bonvoisin