Moving On After a Divorce

Divorce is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. In fact, some experts say that the only thing more emotionally stressful than divorce is the death of a spouse or child. 

If you have recently gone through a divorce and are having a tough time, you are not alone. Many people experience a wave of emotions following a divorce, everything from depression to anxiety to stress. One study recently published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that divorced people have as much as a 20% more chance of suffering from a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer than married people.

While feelings of depression, sadness, and anxiety are normal following a divorce, it’s important to do everything you can not to let your divorce wreak havoc on your emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Here are some helpful tips to take into consideration to help you get through the weeks and months following a divorce:

• Find something you like doing that can take your mind off your divorce. Read a good book, start a new hobby, go on a run, knit a sweater, bake a cake, just do something you enjoy that will keep your brain from harping on the divorce.
•  Add something new to your routine. Joining a club, volunteering, starting a new exercise program, or even getting a part-time job (if you previously didn’t work) are all good ways to change up your routine and meet new people in a fresh environment. It may help you see that there’s a new life out there for you.
• In her book, psychotherapist Robert Temmes says that planning is one of the most therapeutic actives you can do during a difficult time. Whether you plan a party, plan a weekend getaway, plan a trip to the mall, plan a lunch date, even plan something as mundane as going to the grocery store can help.
• Clean and organize your home. Throwing away stuff that reminds you of your ex-husband or wife is not only therapeutic, but it is also a good way to make room for the new things in your life. Reorganizing or rearranging your house will also give your home a fresh feel.
• Save your energy for the stuff that matters. Sometimes emotional hardships are just as taxing on our bodies as physical exertion. Don’t waste your energy on hating your ex-husband or wife. Instead, focus that energy into something productive or something that makes you happy. You’ll be better off in the long run.

A divorce attorney may be able to provide you with more information and resources about how to move forward with your life after a divorce, or at least refer you to a therapist who can help.