The Importance Of Self-Care When You’re Dealing With Divorce

Ending a relationship, especially one as intimate as a marriage, is not an easy process. Getting divorced is stressful. Most people experience high levels of stress while dealing with a divorce. For many, simply getting through basic daily tasks is a huge challenge. This makes self-care a crucial ingredient for coping with a divorce.

Divorce is stressful because it is a significant, life-changing event. A divorce is a painful and emotional process that can leave you feeling psychologically and physically vulnerable. Additionally, divorce is an expensive and logistically complicated experience.

Whenever you’re going through major life changes, especially when accompanied by the emotional roller-coaster that is divorce, it is a recipe for stress. In such circumstances, prioritizing self-care is essential when dealing with a divorce.

Sources of stress during divorce.

There is a myriad of emotions, logistics, and details when dealing with a divorce. Understanding the stress you are contending with is extremely helpful. Likewise, recognizing the signs and sources of stress prepares you to take active steps to deal with it, particularly as you make a self-care plan. Some of the sources of stress include the following:

Loss of social connection.

Part of what makes divorce stressful is its social impact. Friends and family as well as other people in your life may take sides or look at you differently. Worrying about this can cause a lot of stress and strain in relationships.

Carrying feelings of failure.

Among the various feelings connected with divorce is feeling like you have failed. Many believe that if they have failed at marriage, they are also a failure. This way of thinking can engender feelings of shame and result in low self-esteem.

A fear of the unknown.

Getting divorced is moving from a known situation to one of great uncertainty. You may have hopes about what life after divorce will look like, but it is not uncommon to feel lost or have doubts about the future. All this occurs while you are still dealing with other everyday responsibilities like bills, work, and parenting. Some of these tasks were even shared before dealing with divorce.

Health concerns.

The stress of a divorce can compound health issues, both those unrelated and those resulting from or exacerbated by stress. Some issues such as sleep disturbances, poor appetite and eating, and heart problems are commonly associated with the stress of getting divorced.

These various sources of stress make it imperative to pay attention to self-care so that you navigate this tough season in good mental, physical, and emotional health.

Self-care tips when dealing with divorce.

A few ways you can take gentle care of yourself include:

Eating well.

When people are under stress, it is easy to simply give in to the body’s cravings, but this may not be for the best. Additionally, stress can lead you to skip meals. Instead, eat healthy, do not skip meals, avoid overeating, and resist simply eating whatever is at hand.

Having balanced, healthy, and regular meals can make a world of difference. Your energy levels will be boosted, and your immune system will be supported. It is also helpful to cut back on alcohol, minimize foods with processed sugar and refined carbs, and reduce your caffeine intake.

Getting active.

Beat stress with regular exercise. It allows your body to decrease the levels of cortisol in your system and releases endorphins that leave you with a general sense of well-being. Choose any exercise that feels good to you and your doctor recommends, including running, walking, lifting weights, swimming, cycling, or kayaking.

Make sure to get good rest.

The amount of sleep your body needs is unique to you, but the minimum standard is seven to eight hours every day for good sleep hygiene. Maintaining a regular schedule or pattern of sleeping as well as sleeping in a dark space with minimal distractions is needed to get a full night’s rest.

Connecting with other people.

Social connection is a deep human need you should not neglect. Prioritizing self-care includes spending time with loved ones in your support network.

Being mindful and meditating.

Taking the time to be aware of what you’re thinking and feeling helps you stay in touch with yourself and your needs. Meditation, which is just dedicated, quiet time to reflect on your thoughts, helps you to calm your anxious thoughts. Additionally, adding prayer with reflection on Scripture to your self-care routine helps you rest on the Lord and not allow your thoughts to overwhelm you.

Dealing with divorce alone or without self-care can be overwhelming. It might also be helpful to speak with a counselor as you deal with the complex emotions of divorce. Sometimes, having an independent third party with whom to share your thoughts and feelings is a helpful respite. Your counselor will guide you in unpacking your experiences and gaining a healthy perspective.

Please feel free to reach out and browse our list of Christian counselors who are eager to do the work of healing with you. By walking alongside you, they can help you flourish in your relationship with Jesus Christ as you navigate divorce.