Extreme tiredness after bereavement - did you feel physically worn out?

[fourikeachairs]

I have another thread about the mental and emotional feelings after a bereavement, but thought this is actually separate. I feel completely phsyically burnt out, like my body has nothing left, is used up.

After being up for a few hours I fade quickly and just want to go back to bed.

Torn between instinctively wanting to rest as much as I need but then wondering if that is avoiding real life?

Life is so short and I don't want to spend it ALL resting, but I really need rest? If this chimes with anything you experienced when grieving how did you find a balance?

I have now read all the replies, very thoughtful, thank you. Some really wise words there.

Struck by the comments about how this is real life, as real as it gets, and yes that is true I agree.

Sending hugs to all the bereaved here, especially OP.

It's just over a year since I lost my DP unexpectedly to undiagnosed cancer.

I totally identify with the exhaustion and it is something that takes a while to level out. Also insomnia doesn't help, and the poor quality sleep that doesn't refresh....

I have muscled through running my business, and am constantly bewildered by the odd "side effects" of it all even now. Clumsiness, memory fog, and absolute paranoia that something bad will happen again, so a lot of weird OCD type checking of locked doors and fire hazards 🙄

Today is not just Valentine's Day, it's my DPs birthday so it's like re-living it all again and I feel as knackered and spaced out as I did a year ago. So I don't know if it's common, but it feels like a ripple effect..... others who have been through this tell me it eases in time....

Anyway I just wanted to comment as this thread was a weird resonant one to come up as I'm in bed, punch drunk with tiredness and trying to chill out.

It's a trauma that takes a toll and comes out in the weirdest ways at the weirdest times.

Again, thoughts with everyone going through it ....

I have a strong feeling that my body gets access to a part of my brain my "mind" cannot will not access. But only in extreme circumstances have I experienced this. It seems you are experiencing this. Let your body dictate your actions for the time being.

I'd your body says "sleep" then sleep, if it says dance, then dance. Sometimes your conscious mind isn't the best judge of what is good for you.