The Importance of Self-care During And After Divorce

Divorce is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. Studies have shown that divorce can cause excessive stress, leading to physical and mental illness. Even though there is no way around many of the stressors of divorce, there is something you can do to strengthen your ability to handle conflict and become more resilient.

What is Self-care?

Self-care is a term used for actions you take to care for yourself. Whether it is making sure you are getting enough exercise or eating correctly and not losing or gaining too much weight, self-care is the concept of addressing your physical and emotional needs, much like you would address the needs of your partner or your child.

Focusing On Your Health

There are many ways to practice self-care. Some of those ways involve doing things that you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy playing tennis or playing cards, carve out time every week to do that. Self-care also looks like going to the doctor for your annual physical, seeking emotional and mental help if you feel overwhelmed and need it (most people do during and after divorce,) or joining a divorce support group.

In addition, you can also:

  1. Spend time writing down your feelings
  2. Make sure you are surrounded by people who genuinely care about you
  3. Exercise healthy boundaries with yourself and others
  4. Anything else that is beneficial to your mind or body

Putting Yourself First

The concept of self-care may seem vague, but it is simply the act of putting yourself first, which most people going through a divorce do not do. You must take care of yourself because if you are mentally and physically strong, you are better equipped to handle life’s stressors.

If you have children or work outside the home, self-care will give you the tools to give your children and your profession the best of yourself.

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