Dealing With The Stress Of Divorce
As anyone who has been through a divorce will tell you, it is high on the list when it comes to stress. In addition to the impact on your physical health, it is easy to fall into harmful patterns of behavior that could cause problems, both now and in the years to come. Having someone you can trust to guide you through the legal process and taking a few simple steps to more effectively cope with what you are experiencing can help to reduce these negative effects.
Divorce and Stress
According to Psychology Today, any amount of stress can have an impact on your health, compromising your immune system, hindering digestion, and causing an increase in adrenaline. Over an extended period, this can lead to a number of serious health conditions, including respiratory problems, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Researchers who have studied the causes of stress and the impact it has on health have developed a ‘stress scale’, based on certain types of life events. Among common life stressors, divorce is at the top of the scale. In addition to the tangible impacts that can occur due to a divorce, there are intangible stressors that can wreak havoc with your health as well:
- Tangible divorce related stress: Includes current financial concerns, separation from children, attendance at court hearings, changes in living environment, and dealing with the underlying causes that led to your divorce.
- Intangible divorce related stress: Includes general anxiety over fear of the unknown and wondering how your situation will be resolved, what your divorce settlement will be, how your children will adjust, and whether you will ever remarry in the future.
Developing and using the tools needed to handle both types of stress is crucial to maintaining both your physical and emotional well being.
Tools For Decreasing Divorce Related Stress
Prevention.com warns that in addition to potentially resulting in serious medical conditions, divorce related stress can put you at risk for emotional problems, including depression, anxiety attacks, and insomnia. To cope with the stress, you may be more inclined to turn towards unhealthy behaviors, which can result in eating disorders or drug and alcohol addiction. The following are some simple tools you can use to prevent this from occurring:
- Develop a support system of friends, family members, and professionals;
- Use physical exercise to burn off energy and keep your mind off your problems;
- Eating healthy foods, and avoid overconsumption of caffeine or sugar;
- Consider a creative outlet for your feelings, such as journaling or painting.
- Tackle one step at a time, and focus on what you can do today to improve your situation.
Along with the above, it is important to have a knowledgeable and experienced legal professional you can trust on your side, acting as an advocate on your behalf. At the law offices of Vanessa L. Prieto, our Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney offers the kind of compassionate, professional client care and service you need during this time, to help guide you through the divorce process and to ensure your rights and interests are protected. To see how we can assist you, call or contact our office online and request a free consultation today.
Resource:
psychologytoday.com/blog/contemplating-divorce/201207/where-are-you-the-divorce-stress-scale
