Even if you and your spouse agree your marriage is over, divorce is rarely a stress-free process. After all, in addition to dealing with the emotional fallout from the end of your marriage, you must divide your marital estate, figure out child custody and maybe even find a new place to live.
Managing divorce-related stress is likely to improve your decision-making capabilities. It may also make you a more effective parent. Here are three common ways to minimize divorce-related stress.
1. Look for a less-adversarial alternative
Even though movies make all-out divorce battles seem common, there are less-adversarial options for divorcing your spouse. These include collaborative divorce and mediation. If you opt for one of these, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse work together to find common ground outside the courtroom.
2. Focus on self-care
It is often easy to let go of self-care during a faltering marriage. Taking good care of yourself during your divorce is arguably more important than ever, though. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, pursuing your hobbies and allowing time to process your thoughts may improve your mental state considerably.
3. Ask for help
Even if you are an independent and strong person, there is no shame is asking for help. Your friends and relatives are good sounding boards. On the other hand, if divorce-associated stress is bogging you down, you may want to seek the assistance of an experienced mental health professional.
Your divorce will not last forever. Ultimately, by keeping your stress in check, you build a solid foundation for your post-divorce future.