Going through a divorce adds a heap of stress to your life. Some of that stress is financial, some is physical, some is mental. Preparing paperwork, gathering assets, moving your family, making choices for yourself and your children, if you have any, can take a toll on anyone’s mind. And many times, focusing on these aspects can have divorcees forget one important thing – themselves.
Emotional stress, although seemingly invisible, can rear its head in some tangible and physically visible ways. Some signs[1] that you may be suffering from emotional stress are:
- Sleep problems – sleeping too much or too little can be a sign that your brain is having issues processing your emotions and that your emotions are overcoming you.
- Weight fluctuations – Emotional stress can lead to impulsive eating or feeling too overwhelmed to have an appetite, both leading to unhealthy outcomes.
- Temper – When you have too many emotions that you are processing, your fuse can tend to be shorter, leading to unexpected outbursts toward friends and family.
- Unexplained physical pains – Believe it or not, emotional stress can also present in physical ways if the emotions become too powerful. Things like unexplained headaches, upset stomachs, and constipation can all be a sign of severe emotional distress.
- Obsessive or compulsive behaviors – Feeling paranoid or like bad things will happen at any moment can be a sign of emotional distress and anxiety stemming from divorce.
- Fatigue – Point blank – emotions are exhausting. Having a lot of negative energy and emotions pent up can exhaust your energy levels and cause constant fatigue.
- Memory problems – When you spend a majority of your mental bandwidth and energy on the divorce and the implication of it, that leaves little mental capacity for remembering regular appointments, names, and responsibilities.
- Avoiding social situations – When you have excess emotional stress, it may exhaust you and keep you from interacting with others. This isolation only makes the anxiety and emotional issues worse.
How to Help Emotional Stress During Divorce
There are some ways[2] to manage your emotional stress during divorce. Some of these tactics are self-service and some require additional help. Some ways to manage emotionally through divorce are:
- Exercising
Even just 30 minutes per day of moving your body can lead to increased endorphins and a sense of well-being and clarity. It can also help manage some of the physical symptoms of emotional stress.
- Practicing Mindfulness
Divorce can lead to chaos in the brain, trying to manage too many emotions at once. Finding even ten minutes per day to find peace and allow your emotions to run their course is important. While you focus on aspects of your life that you are grateful for, you forget the negative aspects and that can make a positive difference. - Distracting Yourself
Whether it be a hobby, group activity, or increased social interaction, sometimes your brain and emotional system need a break from the drama and stress and time to focus on things in your life that you enjoy. Just because you’re experiencing divorce does not mean there is nowhere to find happiness. - Talk to a divorce coach
A therapist may be able to assess you clinically, but they cannot offer the same experience as a divorce coach. A divorce coach knows the unique aspects of divorce and how they can affect your emotional state in a way that other professionals cannot.
Get a Divorce Coach for Help Now During Your Situation
All the various aspects of divorce can be overwhelming, leading to emotional stress. And even beyond divorce, you have a life. You have a job, friends, responsibilities, and possibly children to protect emotionally through the process. Protecting your energy and managing emotional stress during this time can make or break the outcome of a divorce. A divorce coach can help you find balance and provide an outlet for stress.
Sharp Divorce Coaching is here to help you face divorce with kindness and have the happiest life possible in the aftermath. Founder, Lindsey Sharp, has years of experience as a family attorney and has seen the many ways divorce can emotionally affect families for years to come. Her goal is to give clients the tools and support they need to get through a divorce with as little damage as possible and to thrive moving forward. There is life after divorce, if you can walk through the storm with confidence and make healthy choices.
[1] 10 Signs You Have Emotional Stress (and How to Deal with It) – accessed at lifeadvancer.com
[2] 4 Tips for Handling the Emotional Stress of Divorce – RIGHT Lawyers RIGHT Lawyers
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