Exploring Ways to Cope with Emotions During and After a Divorce
Though you never planned for it, a divorce can be one of the biggest events in your life. You are changing your entire life when you divorce, from where you live to which bank account you use. A divorce is very much a legal process, but it is also more than that - it is an emotional process that you must go through as well. Emotional coping is very important when you are going through a divorce and is essential to your mental health once you have completed the legal aspect of divorce. Here are some ways to help you cope with the wild emotions that divorce can bring:
Allow Yourself to Grieve
Though divorce is a legal process, it is just as much an emotional one. It is only natural to grieve the loss of your relationship when you are going through a divorce, and to prevent yourself from grieving will only prolong the process. Allowing yourself to go through the stages of grief is a healthy coping mechanism that will enable you to move on with your life.
Take Care of Yourself
It is important that you take care of yourself during this trying time. Practicing self-care is not only good for your physical wellbeing but also your emotional wellbeing - if you feel good physically, it will be easier for you to feel good mentally and emotionally and gives you something to focus on, rather than lingering on your pain. If you do not already have an exercise routine, start dedicating a little bit of time each week to work out. Make sure you are eating well and staying hydrated, as well as getting plenty of sleep each night.
Rediscover Your Interests
Much like trees that shed their leave in autumn to make room for new leaves, divorce allows you to shed a part of your life in order to make room for new and exciting things. Take this time to rediscover interests that you once had that you may no longer indulge in. Or use this time to discover new interests that you may not have considered before. Divorce can be a time of great personal revelation and focusing on old or new hobbies can be an excellent coping technique.
An Experienced Aurora Divorce Attorney Can Help
There is no doubt that your divorce will trigger some conflicting emotions and it can be hard to manage them at first. The important thing to understand is how well you thrive depends entirely on you, how you respond to these emotions and the actions that you take to be proactive and nurture yourself. One way to help alleviate some of the uncertainty and stressfulness of divorce is by hiring a skilled DuPage County divorce lawyer. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can help guide you through the legal process and advise you on what is in your best interest. Call the office today at 630-409-8184 to set up a consultation.
Sources:
https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/emotional-coping-and-divorce/
https://www.wfm.noaa.gov/workplace/DivorceIssues_Handout_1.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/life-after-divorce-3-survival-strategies#1
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/family-law-attorney/tech-support/201506/notes-my-divorce-5-coping-strategies-worked