The stress caused by a divorce can be overwhelming. It has the potential to engulf you and wear you down until you are a withered shell of your former self. After all, you are going through likely one of the biggest emotional traumas of your life and facing upheaval that is almost certain to turn your world upside down.
And the truth is, there is probably no avoiding this stress. It would be strange if you didn’t feel overwhelmed and emotional.
However, for both you and your loved ones – such as your children – it is vital that you utilize effective and healthy stress management techniques to help you properly cope with your divorce stresses.
Below we have detailed six tips which you can employ to help you handle the mountain of stress you are sure to face when getting divorce.
1) Exercise
Exercise is one of the single most effective ways to combat stress and depression. Nearly any form of exercise from running to biking to yoga will help trigger your body’s natural chemical defenses against stress. Endorphins serve to relax you, improve your mood, and allow your mind to focus on the physical task at hand rather than the causes of your stress. Set aside time to be active and exercise consistently to help manage your divorce-related stresses.
2) Get creative and active
We just mentioned the importance of being active in the form of exercise, but you also need to be active in the form of doing activities. Try out a new hobby, go out with your friends, explore parts of your city and region you’ve never seen before. Get creative with your schedule and do things that are just for you.
3) Don’t bottle up your emotions
It is okay to be emotional during your divorce. It is okay to feel sad, it is okay to feel angry, it is okay to feel disappointment or fear or any number of emotions that could result from a divorce. You may think it is a good idea to bottle up your emotions in order to avoid showing weakness or causing your children pain, but the fact is you need to express those emotions and find healthy outlets for them. Otherwise, your emotions have the potential to build up and eventually explode out in the form of irrational actions or words that you will later regret.
4) Ask for help
No one should face a divorce on their own, no matter how strong or independent they may be. Ask for help from friends, from family, and even from counselors and support groups. The people who care about you will want to help, so let them.
5) Look forward, not back
It can be easy to get lost wondering about what went wrong in your marriage. What could you have done differently? Could you have fixed it? Don’t get caught up in the past. Look forward to the future and imagine your divorce as an opportunity to try new things, see new places, and reinvent yourself. With the right attitude and approach, your divorce can provide a healthy new beginning. Leave the past behind, and keep your eyes trained forward.
6) Declutter
Eliminate and purge the material items in your life that you do not need. Being surrounded by reminders of your old life can force you to live in the past. Removing clutter leftover from your married life can be a great way to force yourself to look ahead and move on.
If you are facing the prospect of divorce, The Hollwarth Law Firm can help. Give us a call today at (903) 234-0711 to discuss your situation and your options.