3.5 Ways to Manage Stress During a Divorce

Research has shown that the only event more stressful than divorce and marital separation is the death of your spouse. There are some things you can do to manage the stress you are feeling during your divorce/separation.

Here are 3 ideas with a bonus idea:

1. Usually during the time of divorce/separation, you are attempting to juggle new responsibilities related to financial obligations, living arrangements, and children. Once divorce proceedings begin, you then have to stay aware of your responsibilities associated with those proceedings, which can be overwhelming on its own. You can maintain better control of how you are spending your time and energy by organizing yourself.

2. During the time of divorce/separation, you will probably discover which of your friends are supportive, which ones disappear when you need their assistance, and which ones try to convince you that you are making mistakes. It is important to control who is surrounding you. Get rid of the toxic relationships and hold on to those who provide you emotional support.

3. During the time of divorce/separation, it’s very easy to find ways to blame yourself for the loss of the relationship or to wonder why you failed to see what a jerk your spouse is at the beginning of the relationship. Find ways to provide yourself positive thoughts. Read positive thinking books, talk to a therapist, talk with supportive friends, read positive quotes of great people, and surround yourself with posters and cards bearing positive messages.

3.5. It’s very easy to convince yourself you don’t have time, energy, or money to do something for yourself when you are working through a divorce/separation. It is important, however, to exercise and plan leisure activities to take care of yourself. It doesn’t matter if they are small and inexpensive action steps. The point is that you have to maintain your health and productivity, and you need activities you look forward to participating in.