Determining that your marriage is no longer sustainable may be one of the most significant and emotional experiences of your lifetime. Especially if you and your spouse have been together for many years or if you have children, such situations can be both liberating and devastating at the same time.
Stress affects your whole person, body, mind and soul. It’s also a fact that your emotional health affects your physical condition and vice versa. High levels of stress can lead to all sorts of health problems, which is why, like most New Jersey spouses, you likely want to keep your stress levels as low as possible as you finalize the terms of your divorce.
Dealing with emotions
Every marriage is unique and, therefore, so is every divorce. You may react to a situation differently than a friend or family member who has gone through a similar experience. The following list includes tips for processing your emotions in as healthy a manner as possible:
- Understand that some things are beyond your control. The more you are able to let go of things you cannot change, the less likely such issues will cause you stress.
- Many things are within your control, as well. You don’t have to allow your ex to draw you into an argument every time the two of you meet.
- If tokens of affection your ex gave to you during marriage seem to cause you more sorrow than benefit, it is perfectly acceptable to part with such items in your effort to find closure and move on in life.
Allowing yourself to grieve is a healthy means of dealing with divorce-related stress. Many people say they have gone through various emotional states, including feelings of anger, sorrow, even depression. You can reach out for support if you feel ill-equipped to process your emotions on your own.
Physical health is a key factor regarding stress
Stress can cause poor physical health and poor physical health can induce stress. That’s why keeping stress low in divorce has a lot to do with taking care of your physical health. You can do so by trying one or more of the following ideas:
- Become active or stay active if you’ve always been. Going out with friends on occasion or simply enjoying the outdoors often helps reduce high levels of stress.
- Exercise is always good, especially during stressful situations like divorce. Your regimen doesn’t have to be high level or expensive, just enough to keep your body in a healthy, physical state.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of ill health, it may be tempting to try to ignore it, but doing so may just lead to worse problems. Seeking medical attention and taking care of your physical health is the best low-stress option in most cases.
Sometimes, the issues causing you stress may have nothing to do with your physical condition. If, for instance, your ex is causing legal problems by refusing to adhere to an existing court order or by trying to undermine your relationship with your children, you can be proactive to rectify the situation by reaching out for legal support. Having an experienced family law attorney by your side can help keep stress to a minimum.
