Divorce is usually one of the hardest times in a person’s life. The emotional rollercoaster, financial challenges and logistical problems can turn anyone’s life upside down.
In the middle of the chaos, it is critical to prioritize self-care. Nurturing yourself physically, mentally and emotionally can help you get through this challenging time in a much better state.
Understanding self-care
Self-care refers to any practice that promotes a person’s well-being. It is about making conscious choices to feed your body, mind and spirit.
Especially during an experience like divorce, self-care can completely change your experience and make it much easier because caring for yourself makes you stronger.
Caring for your body
There are things you can do to strengthen your body and promote health, even during times of stress. Caring for your body during difficult times can help make it less burdensome on you physically. For example:
- Eating well and maintaining a balanced diet can help stabilize your mood and energy levels. Whole foods like fruits, vegetables and lean protein help your body stay healthy.
- Avoid too much sugar and caffeine, which can lead to energy crashes and unstable moods.
- Exercise, even if it is just walking, at least three times per week. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to combat stress.
- To maintain good sleep hygiene, sleep 7-9 hours each night, or however much your body needs. Check-in with your doctor if you sleep too much or too little.
- Speak with your doctor about personalized health advice tailored to your specific body and lifestyle.
Caring for your emotions
During this challenging time, it is very likely that you will experience an entire range of emotions. Make sure that you:
- Have a strong support group you can lean on for help and advice
- Establish healthy boundaries with everyone around you
- Reconnect with hobbies or activities that you enjoy and that interest you.
Divorce is a taxing journey, and it can take a lot of energy from you. Having an awareness of this can help mitigate stress by consciously interrupting bad habits and replacing them with healthier ones, as well as creating new ones and doing things that support your health and happiness.