It’s no secret – going through a divorce is often a very traumatic and emotionally-trying process. Even if you were the one who asked for it, a divorce can turn your world upside down and make it feel impossible to carry on with life as usual.
Venturing into the unknown territory of your future can be terrifying, but you can take steps to help yourself get through this difficult transition. No matter the reason for your split, here are a few things to keep in mind when coping with divorce:
Permit yourself to feel everything
Divorce can be a roller-coaster of emotions. Even if it’s ultimately for the best, you may find yourself feeling sad, angry, confused, relieved, frustrated or exhausted – and often these feelings are powerful. It’s also normal to feel anxious about your future. Accept that all of these emotions are a part of the process and that they will lessen over time.
Cut yourself some slack
Remember that it’s okay if you’re not quite as productive as usual in your day-to-day life for a while. Don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to your work or caring for your kids during this time. Take the time you need to heal and regroup.
Don’t do it alone
You mustn’t try to go through the process of a divorce alone. Isolating yourself raises stress levels, reduces concentration and negatively affect your relationships and overall health. Sharing your feelings with a friend or relative or finding a support group can help you tremendously during a divorce.
Explore your interests
To get your mind off things, it’s a great idea to reconnect with an old hobby or find a new activity you enjoy apart from your spouse. You may consider signing up for class, volunteering, or setting aside more time in your schedule for yourself and your loved ones.
Take care of yourself
There are many unhealthy ways to cope with hard emotions. After a divorce, you may wish to drink, smoke or make major life decisions to deal with the pain you are experiencing, but these activities won’t truly help you. Take care of both your mental and physical health during this time. Try to keep your routines normal, eat healthily and exercise to feel better inside and out.
