No matter the reason for your divorce, it can be one of the most difficult and painful periods in your life. If you approach it mindfully, however, you can limit the damage to your mental and physical health.
Hopefully, this guide will give you the tools to help manage your divorce and allow you to process this difficult time more easily.
Acknowledge Your Emotions
During divorce proceedings, it’s normal to cycle through a variety of emotions, including grief, anger, guilt, relief, confusion, and more. This is a normal and understandable experience, and acknowledging these intense emotions is a key method of maintaining your emotional health.
It’s also extremely likely that you’ll experience an emotional rollercoaster, moving between several emotions repeatedly. Again, this is normal, especially during times of great turmoil, like a divorce.
We also strongly recommend against suppressing, avoiding, or ‘drowning’ your emotions. While it can seem to provide short-term relief, it actually extends your suffering, damaging your mental and physical health, while potentially hurting the loved ones trying to support you.
Build a Support System
To help yourself process and move past this painful experience, you need to build a support system. This should include various friends and family, as well as support groups, therapy, and online resources. The reason we recommend having such a wide support network is that it avoids putting too much strain on any one person.
By regularly looking for support from the same person, this can start to impact their mental and physical health, especially if they have struggles of their own. Additionally, working with a qualified therapist can help you process the most difficult parts, while also giving you effective tools you can use to manage your feelings.
Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health
A divorce, like other occasions of severe emotional distress, can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health. During these times, it’s vital you establish a healthy routine and avoid destructive behaviours. This can help you maintain your health and limit the negative effects of your divorce.
Your routine must ensure you get enough sleep, nutrition, and exercise, especially since this will put you in the best position to cope with stress. Regular exercise also releases endorphins and can help prevent depressive feelings from becoming overwhelming.
Set Boundaries and Communicate Mindfully
It’s important to remember that any communication with your ex-spouse can quickly become negative, especially if children are involved. To combat this and ensure smoother communication throughout the process, you must establish legal and emotional boundaries.
For instance, certain topics may be ‘off the table’, as they elicit strong emotional responses. Alternatively, you might find it necessary to talk through monitored apps or legal counsel. Relying on specialist legal counsel can help prevent conversations from becoming abusive, instead moving them towards a better resolution.