In the long term, your divorce is likely to be beneficial to both you and your ex-spouse. In the short term, however, divorce is a stressful process that can take its toll on your physical and mental well-being. At the law office of Stephen W. Penn and Associates, we believe it is important to manage your divorce stress to avoid harmful physical and emotional effects.
The Huffington Post suggests a number of ways that you can cope with the stress of your divorce with a healthy and productive approach.
1. Do not isolate yourself from others.
Even though your relationship with your spouse has ended, welcoming and embracing love in its many forms is important to the healing process. This primarily means the love of family and friends, but can include a new romantic relationship if and when you are ready to take that step.
Now, more than ever, you need the support of those who love you unconditionally. Take a break from the divorce and schedule time to spend with those people. Remember, too, that you cannot reasonably expect to receive love and support from others unless you are also willing to give it.
2. Talk about your feelings.
You may feel tempted to bottle up your feelings and put on a brave face. When you work to keep the lines of communication with friends and family open, they can form a support system that can be invaluable to you when you need to talk.
However, you do not need to rely solely on friends and family to communicate your feelings. One or more sessions with a counselor, therapist or another type of mental health professional can be beneficial. This is particularly true if there is something bothering you that you would feel embarrassed discussing with those close to you.
3. Do not forget about your physical health.
Prolonged stress can have a negative effect on you physically. However, you can counteract this by taking steps to improve your overall physical health by getting enough sleep, exercising and eating whole foods.
It may also help to keep in mind that divorce proceedings are temporary. When they are over, you will have the rest of your life before you to do with what you will. More information about divorce is available on our website.
