Divorce is just as much an emotional process as it is a legal one. While ending a marriage can be stressful and overwhelming, it’s essential to take time out to care for your mental health. Importantly, there are a number of ways you can combat stress during a divorce and prepare for the future.

Practice Self-Care

One of the best ways to reduce your stress during a divorce is by practicing self-care. This means prioritizing your well-being and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Different forms of self-care can include:

• Exercising regularly — Exercise isn’t only a distraction from divorce. It can elevate your mood and reduce tension in your body. Set some time aside each day to take a walk, jog, do yoga, or go for a bike ride. You might also want to join a gym or attend a class to stay on track.
• Reading helpful books — Self-help books can help you learn how to communicate and work amicably with your spouse, particularly with co-parenting. But if nothing else, reading can help you relax.
• Practicing meditation — Mindfulness meditation can help to clear your mind, relax your body, and help you achieve a balanced perspective. By increasing awareness of your thoughts, it can give you the tools you need to manage your emotions.
• Journaling — Writing your thoughts and experiences may help you get certain feelings out as opposed to keeping them bottled inside. It can help you gain clarity, process your emotions, and promote personal growth.
• Getting enough sleep – Sleep deprivation can worsen your stress during a divorce. It’s vital to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. If you find it difficult to fall asleep, establish a bedtime routine and stick to it each evening. Try to stay consistent with your bedtime, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and limit your screen time.
• Finding a new hobby — Engaging in hobbies and activities that you enjoy can offer a much-needed outlet to alleviate some of your stress during a divorce. It can give you a new way to connect with others and help reduce your feelings of isolation.

Self-care can also mean taking a vacation, going to a museum, or eating at your favorite restaurant. Finding the time to practice self-care during divorce doesn’t have to be challenging — it can simply mean taking a break from your daily routine.

Talk with a Therapist

If your divorce is particularly contentious, having a regular visit with a therapist may help to combat stress during a divorce — as well as anxiety and other issues. Therapy can provide you with a safe place to process your emotions, give you the skills you need to cope, and work through the complexities of ending your marriage. If you have children, it can also give you the tools you need for communicating effectively with your co-parent. Developing good stress-management techniques now could ultimately help you and your family in the future.

Set Goals and Focus on the Future

Establishing a goal for life after the finalization of your divorce gives you something to look forward to. By focusing on the future rather than the past, you can shift your attention away from your stress during a divorce. If you have children, set goals with them as well — such as things you want to learn or do together. Your goals might include things like learning a new language, running a 5K, or learning how to paint. You might also set goals that focus on rebuilding your life, such as finding a new home, achieving financial stability, or changing course with your career.

Reframe Your Mindset

Divorce is a big change that often means learning to shift to a new life perspective. Instead of focusing on the negative and dwelling on your stress during the divorce process, try to see the challenges you are facing as an opportunity for self-growth.

Connect with Friends and Family

Having a strong support system is crucial when you’re going through a life-changing event such as a divorce. Reach out to those closest to you to talk, get coffee, or just be together. You might also consider joining a support group where you can connect with others who are going through a similar situation.

Have a Compassionate Attorney by Your Side

Having the right attorney can significantly reduce stress during a divorce. They will work to take the burden off your shoulders as they guide you through the legal process with compassion and understanding. A divorce attorney will handle the paperwork associated with your case, attend court appearances with you, communicate with your spouse’s attorney, and protect your rights every step of the way. By managing the legal aspects of your case and maintaining a rational approach, they can help you navigate the emotional challenges you may be facing.

Consider Mediation or the Collaborative Divorce Process

You don’t need to go through the lengthy and costly litigation process to end your marriage. Mediation and the collaborative divorce process are two non-adversarial methods that can allow you to divorce out of court while remaining in control of the outcome of your case. By minimizing the potential for conflict and focusing on solutions, these forms of alternative dispute resolution can also considerably reduce stress during a divorce.

Contact an Experienced New York Divorce Attorney

If you are going through a divorce, it’s crucial to have a skillful divorce and family law attorney who can provide you with peace of mind and alleviate your stress. At Duke Law Firm, P.C., we offer reliable representation and trusted counsel for a broad scope of matrimonial and family law matters. We welcome you to contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help.