The importance of self-care during a divorce
When you’re going through a separation or divorce, it can be extremely emotional and stressful: there may be lots of fighting and turmoil between you and your partner – and even if the break up is amicable, it is going to be a time of uncertainty. Coming to terms with the end of a serious relationship is hard, and taking care of yourself during this time will be paramount to getting through it and starting your new life. If you’re struggling with taking care of yourself during this time, here are a few tips on making sure you take the time for you as you need it.
Take care of your body
The process of a divorce is emotionally stressful, and many people who are going through this will put the physical needs of their body aside because there is just so much else going on. During this time, getting proper rest (7 – 9 hours a night) is going to be crucial to help prevent burnout.
Additionally, if you can get 20 – 30 minutes a day of physical exercise it can help with your self-esteem and help to relieve stress, which will be important when you are dealing with lawyer’s meetings, custody agreements, and everything else that is going on at this time.
Maintain a healthy diet
Your life is probably really unpredictable right now – and that’s totally understandable – which means you are likely eating out more or maybe not eating much at all.
If you can do it, following a balanced diet with lots of fresh produce will go a long way to keeping you healthy and feeling physically good.
And if you have to swing through the drive-thru from time to time because you are just too tired to prepare a healthy meal? Don’t sweat it or beat yourself up! Just focus on getting your diet back on track for next time.
Personal care
Depression is very common among those who are going through a divorce. There may be days when you just don’t want to get out of your pajamas or you may find that your personal appearance and hygiene is starting to slip a bit.
But, looking good and taking care of your physical appearance will go a long way to boosting your self-confidence which can really help during this time. Consider booking an extra appointment to get your hair done or even go for a massage.
Mental health
A divorce has the potential to negatively impact your mental health. You may find yourself feeling isolated or even suffering from more serious anxiety or depression.
Taking time for yourself to enjoy your hobbies or connect with friends is important. And if you find that you need more professional help, seeing a counsellor or psychologist can be a great strategy for getting through this transition.
Remember, going through a divorce is draining both physically and mentally draining, but when it is all over you still want to be in good health for the next chapter of your life. And maintaining good self-care habits is the best way to do this.
Contact Fine and Associates today
If you are going through or considering getting a divorce, having a good family lawyer who can take care of many of the details is one way of caring for your health. Contact Fine and Associates today to speak with one of our family lawyers.