Going through a divorce might feel like the worst experience of your life, even if it’s for the right reasons. Along with understanding what happens after you apply for divorce from a legal perspective, you’ll undoubtedly need to change your lifestyle.
From finalising arrangements concerning your children and money to deciding where you’ll live if you’re moving house, there’s a lot to think about. Add to that the emotional distress of major relationship breakdown and it’s perhaps unsurprising that 28% face depression after their divorce.
There’s no way to change the facts or make the situation any easier. But throughout a divorce, taking proactive steps to protect your mental health is imperative to helping you cope in the long run. Whether you’re going through your own divorce or supporting someone who is, it’s always worth knowing the best course of action to safeguard your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Coping with divorce: Five steps to help protect your mental health
- Leave the paperwork to the professionals
If most of your stress is being caused by the piles of paperwork waiting to be signed and sent back, you should take a step back. Leaving the important admin to professionals will allow you to focus on your family and personal life, which could be invaluable if you have young children. In this situation, many divorcing parents choose to rely on a trusted family solicitor to sort through the finer details.
- Get stuck into physical activity
It can be something as simple as a short stroll through the park. Any kind of physical activity, especially outdoors, has been proven to benefit mental wellbeing in so many ways – and boost our mood almost immediately. When you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel, moving your body to get out of your head is a sensible approach. And the change of scenery could help distract your mind too.
- Spend quality time with your children
When you’re going through a divorce, sometimes it feels tempting to shut the world away and cry alone in a quiet place. But however hard it might seem, parents can benefit immensely from spending quality time with their children while they navigate their divorce. It doesn’t need to be a distraction – in fact, it could help prepare you emotionally and physically for future arrangements, especially if you’re expecting to split custody.
- Try not to get behind on sleep
Sleep deprivation is one guaranteed way to make you feel groggy, fatigued, and unmotivated. And if you’re suffering from anxiety or depression, missing out on sleep could exacerbate your symptoms and make it much harder to cope with the extra pressures you might be facing. Try to aim for at least six to eight hours of sleep each night – or more if you still feel tired in the morning. You need to be in a fresh state to cope with the current challenges, especially if you’re in the early stages of planning.
- Keep your social life going
Lastly, don’t cut out your social life. Family and friends are there to support you through the better and the harder times, so you shouldn’t shut them out. It’s understandable that in complicated situations, you might feel as though family members are siding against you. However, you need to remember that the people you trust want to look out for you, regardless of what you’ve been through.
If you’re struggling to cope and moving on feels near impossible, you might want to consider talking to a professional therapist. Counselling offers a neutral opinion on your situation and could provide the direction or guidance you need to start making positive changes. Once your wellbeing starts to improve, you might even see the potential for a healthier, happier future.
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