self-care-tips-to-help-you-survive-your-divorce-with-your-sanity-intactYou are going through the painful process of getting divorced. It is a confusing, chaotic time, yet you are expected to go to work every day and manage your life as though everything were normal, when in fact nothing is normal anymore. The divorce process can create tremendous levels of stress for men and for women. Whether you initiated the divorce, or you are the reluctant partner who does not want the marriage to end, here are a few tips to help you find ways to lower your stress levels so that you can manage your life and move through the divorce process while maintaining your sanity.

  • Do not try to do all of this on your own. This is the time to enlist the support of your best friends as a support system… but do not confide the details of your marriage or your divorce strategy to them. They can be called as witnesses in your case! So, be mindful of who you confide in and who you call upon to be supportive during the stressful time of going through a divorce, and immediately after.
  • Get enough sleep. Make getting a restful night’s sleep consistently a priority in your life. During times of stress, getting good sleep is a requirement.
  • Eat a healthy diet. This does not mean to go on a calorie-restricting diet that deprives you of the foods you love. But this is a time to focus on health, and binging on a box of cookies and a carton of ice-cream will only fill you with regret later. Medicating yourself with food is just going to create another problem to solve.
  • Exercise, but do not overdo it. Exercising too much is a great distraction, but it only adds additional stress to your body. Workout on your normal schedule. Take daily walks or go for a swim. Physical activity will keep you healthy and fit while lowering your stress levels naturally.
  • Let yourself off the hook. Self-forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and moving on. Forgive yourself for your part in the demise of the relationship, forgive your partner for their inability to live up to your expectations, and do your best to let go of whatever you are holding against them. This will free up so much mental energy and relieve the heavy burden that a grudge can be.
  • Do not hide out in your house. Get out and find new ways to enjoy your life. Schedule a girls’ weekend and get away to do something fun that will take your mind off the divorce drama for a while. If you cannot get out of town, be creative and find a way to create a fun day for yourself and a few friends.
  • Embrace an old hobby or start a new one. Try painting pottery or rock climbing or take a cooking class. Using your creativity and doing something that you enjoy or never tried before elevates your spirits and keeps you from focusing on the divorce for a while.
  • Give yourself some time and space. Try one of these stress-reduction techniques each day until you find the one that works for you:
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
    • Progressive relaxation
    • Soak in the bathtub
    • Light scented candles
    • Aromatherapy
    • Prayer
    • Massage
    • Art therapy
    • Start a gratitude journal
  • Allow yourself a specific amount of time to grieve. Mark your calendar with the last day you will grieve the loss of the marriage, your hopes for the future with that person, and for who you thought you were going to be as that person’s spouse.
  • Create a plan for moving on with your life. Decide what you want your new life to look like and set about creating a plan to make it happen. Let your divorce attorney know what that plan looks like, and make sure that the choices you make during the divorce will support that plan.

If any of this sounds too daunting for you to do on your own, get professional help. Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a human being can go through. There is no shame in seeking professional help to guide you through the difficult process of managing your emotions and stress levels as you end your marriage and start a new life.

If the thought of getting a divorce is stressing you out, you are welcome to call 615-391-4200 or fill out our contact form to schedule an in-person or video consultation with the trusted Nashville divorce lawyers at Karla C. Miller and Associates, PLLC.