Divorce and separation. Senior couple having problems in relationships, sitting back to back

Coping with Divorce in a Mentally Healthy Way

Divorce is going to be stressful but with the right divorce attorney,
you can start to heal almost immediately. Losing massive amounts of property
due to representing yourself will make it far more difficult to cope with.
Coping in unhealthy ways might appeal to you but you are starting a new life!
Taking care of your mental health during this time of transition cannot be
stressed enough. Be proactive about coping as sitting around thinking about the
divorce or old times will get you nowhere. One aspect to remember is that no
great marriage ends in divorce which you can take solace in. The following are
tips to help you cope with a divorce in a mentally healthy way. 

Talk About Your Feelings

Bottling up your feelings and never acknowledging the
divorce will make it tough to get over efficiently. Grieving
the relationship
 even if you were the one that filed for divorce is
natural. You lost a significant other and companion that you could have had for
decades. Friends or family can be a great option as they will have an outside
opinion about the marriage. If you are uncomfortable or have shared friends,
then reach out to a mental health professional. You do not want your previous
relationship to impact potential future relationships. There is a chance that
the marriage was over before the divorce even crossed your mind. If you are in
this situation, you might have already dealt with your feelings and are ready
to move on. 

Avoid Coping with Alcohol or Drugs 

Far too many people cope with alcohol which simply just
slows the recovery time after a divorce. Alcohol will not allow you to face
your true feelings so you are just putting off coping with the divorce. Drugs
are another way that people commonly use to deaden their feelings. Substance
abuse, in general, should not be your way to cope. The last thing you want is to
form an addiction as your ex will likely hear about it. You do not want them
thinking you cannot live without them which can provide a spiteful ex with
satisfaction. 

Use Exercise as a Form of Stress Relief

Getting fit is far easier when you are single as you most
likely will have extra free time. Getting into a routine of going to the gym
can allow you to deal with the stress in a healthy way. Times of transition
do cause stress for those that do not like change so put yourself on an
exercise regimen. The tough aspect might be finding a type of exercise that you
truly enjoy. Playing in an adult sports league can allow you to exercise while
feeding your competitive fire. Investing in a stationary bike that you can ride
while watching TV or in the morning with a cup of coffee provides a convenient
way to get in shape from home. 

Find a Hobby You Truly Enjoy 

There is a chance that your ex didn’t like a hobby that you
really enjoyed. You can now get back into that hobby whether it is fishing or
playing trivia at a local bar/restaurant. Now is the time to enjoy yourself as
you have nobody holding you back from trying new things. For those in warmer
climates, kayaking can be a relaxing way to enjoy nature while getting a great
workout. You might not find something you enjoy right off of the bat so this
might be more of a trial and error period. 

Divorce is never going to be easy but you can reinvent
yourself during this time. Thriving is the best way to “win” a divorce as
ultimately you just want to be happy.