Divorce can be one of the most stressful experiences for children and families, however, it’s also a rather common modern day trauma as divorce rates remain high despite a downward trend in recent years. No matter where you are in the divorce process, it is crucial that you prioritize your health and wellbeing.
1. Don’t Forget to Eat—and Make Healthy Food Choices Whenever Possible
Depending on your typical coping mechanisms, you might trend towards two extremes with your food intake—your appetite may completely tank, leaving you malnourished and constantly tired, or you might stress-eat and unintentionally increase your intake of fried, snack or other low-nutrition foods. Either way, it’s important to evaluate and possibly adjust eating habits so you can be in an ideal position to navigate the potentially trying months ahead. In addressing this issue, it can beneficial to consult with a certified nutritionist, your primary care provider or other wellness professional.
2. Nurture Your Body Through Exercise
Movement and physical activity is crucial for the body and mind; and you don’t have to start training for a marathon or hitting the gym for hours every day. Just a little bit of intentional movement each day is enough to boost your natural endorphins and regulate your sleep cycle. If you need some time for reflection, try a gentle yoga flow. If getting a good sweat is what clears your mind, consider taking a kickboxing class, hitting the treadmill or low impact bodyweight exercises like pushups and planks.
3. Spend Time Outdoors
Hand-in-hand with exercise is time spent in nature. Spending time outdoors supports healthy sleep, regulates your appetite, and gives you time to reflect and work on your emotional wellbeing. You don’t have to push your body to its limits to enjoy the benefits of time in nature. Take a short walk after dinner, explore a new hiking trail, or go for a bike ride.
4. Take Time to Rest
Sleep is an essential part of staying healthy during trauma, but you may have to track your natural habits before you can make changes. For some, the stresses of divorce keep them awake all night and leave them with a few hours of sleep per night. For others, sleep is an opportunity to escape real life temporarily, so they sleep upwards of 10 hours per day. Listen to your body—if it needs to rest, take time for a short nap after work. If you’re sleeping too much, try to get more exercise. It sounds counterintuitive, but exerting more energy can actually boost your energy levels and help you get out of a sleep rut.
5. Work Toward Emotional Healing
Everything you do to maintain your physical health during this challenging time can also help you optimize your emotional wellbeing. At the moment, it may feel like this stage of life will drag on forever. This too shall pass, and prioritizing your health during this period can lay the groundwork for a positive and optimistic new stage of life once you’re ready to move on.
When divorce or co-parenting conflict seems inevitable, you need legal counsel who understands the challenges you’re facing and is dedicated to helping you create a fresh start. At Holt Law, we consider your unique needs and goals while creating a strategy. Schedule your consultation now and call us at 203-872-7218.
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