|
Coping with Stress During a Divorce
|
| 2 thumbs up |
 |
|
By: XSTILLA.COM
Stress has the ability to negatively affect our health, and potentially do permanent damage if not properly treated. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to control it and learn how to cope with the after-effects that stress can cause during a divorce.
The stress and tension of divorce, which manifests itself in many different ways, may have a wide variety of effects on a person, regardless if they were the initiator of the break-up or not. Some behavioral changes caused by stress may include crying, withdrawing from others, being irritable or aggressive, or being overly tired and exhausted for no apparent reason.
Other signs of stress include:
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Feeling of guilt or self-blame
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Muscle tension
- Feelings of confusion
- The inability to make decisions
The most common causes of stress during a divorce are:
- Coping with family finances
- Household maintenance
- Parenting responsibilities and co-parenting while living apart
- Maintaining relationships with family and friends
- The loss of security/family life
- Dealing with change
For some easy ways of coping with stress during and after a divorce:
- Make appointments with yourself: Do whatever it takes to set aside some personal time for yourself, whether it's a few minutes or so at the end of each day, or a stolen hour here and there to regroup and take care of your own emotional needs. Take a class, learn something new and exciting, and find ways of making relaxation a regular part of your routine.
- Ask for help: Don't be afraid or leery of asking for help if you need it. Most times, people are unsure of what to do or say during this stressful time and would greatly appreciate some direction from you. If your children are old enough and able, assign chores or duties to keep the household running as smoothly as possible.
- Get support: Surround yourself with your closest friends and family members who freely give their emotional support and help to create positive atmosphere, or there's also the option of seeking the guidance of a professional. Many groups are dedicated to coping with divorce as well as private counselors and therapists trained in matters of marriage and divorce.
- Get your finances in order: Do an accurate assessment of your finances, which is a common culprit of stress, and make a list of what needs to be done to improve the situation if necessary. If you need a new or better job, polish your resume and begin scouring the employment advertisements. If you're in debt, debt counseling may offer helpful resources and services for those in need.
- Start a journal: Many people find that keeping a private journal is cathartic and helps them through the grieving process and adjustment period that follows the break-up of a marriage. There are also numerous web sites devoted to blogs and journaling that can be written anonymously.
- Begin a health regimen: Regular exercise and healthy eating are both simple but often overlooked ways of coping with stress and its effects on the body. Make it a point to exercise at least three times a week and eat nutritious foods rich with vitamins and minerals, but low in fats and carbohydrates.
- Accept challenges: The sooner you accept that the marriage is ending, the better you'll be able to accept any challenges that will come your way. See each new change as an opportunity to grow, build confidence, self-esteem and strengthen your character.
|
| I like it |  |
|
Previous Article
