Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson has shared her heartbreak following the death of her beloved dog, Norman. The former model first announced Norman’s passing last weekend and recently took to Instagram to express her emotions and coping mechanisms.

Gemma described grief as an unpredictable experience that can hit unexpectedly, stating, “We all deal and cope with it differently; there’s no rulebook.” She shared that she hadn’t trained for over a week because she wanted to spend all her time with Norman, emphasizing the rollercoaster of emotions she’s been through.

The Strictly Come Dancing star revealed that she collected Norman’s ashes on the same day she was picking up decorations for her eldest child Mia’s fifth birthday, calling it a “strange day.” Gemma mentioned that she copes better with physical pain than emotional pain, adding that her sister often joked about her high pain threshold during their childhood. However, she admires her sister for being emotionally strong, highlighting that everyone deals with grief differently.

Gemma noted that her first gym session after Norman’s death reminded her of the mental benefits of exercise, which helped her feel better and motivated her to train again the next day. She explained, “My main reason for training is because it mentally keeps me on track and focused.”

She encouraged others dealing with loss to do something for themselves amid the chaos, whether it’s a walk, a run, meditation, or yoga. Gemma shared that she didn’t follow a specific program but did whatever felt right at the moment. Although thoughts of Norman returned after her shower and meal, she felt uplifted by the endorphins and even sang on her way to work.

Gemma’s message is clear: taking small steps to care for oneself can help navigate through grief and start to feel like oneself again.