5 Tips For Dealing with the Stress of a Separation or Divorce

Going through a breakup, separation, or divorce, can be really tough. It can turn your world upside down and make it difficult to stay positive. To make sure you stay emotionally strong and healthy, it’s important to learn how to deal with divorce stress in a productive way.

Here are some tips on how to cope with the stress of a separation or divorce:

1. Take Care Of Yourself Emotionally And Physically

It is so important to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically while you are going through a breakup. It can be very easy to spend your days watching sad movies in bed, eating ice cream straight out of the pint, and drinking a bottle of wine. After all, that’s what the movies say you’re supposed to do, right? Well, in reality, doing that won’t be beneficial to you physically or mentally in the long run. Instead, take time out to exercise, eat well, and relax. Do things that nurture you. Read a good book, get plenty of rest, take a hot bath, develop a new hobby, explore nature, surround yourself with positive people. Now is the time to practice “self-care,” whatever that means to you!

2. Give Yourself Permission To “Feel All The Feels”

Coping with separation or divorce is often compared to coping with death. This makes sense because essentially you are grieving the loss of a marriage. With grief comes a whole range of emotions. Let yourself feel whatever you are feeling and know that it’s normal and healthy. Don’t feel bad for feeling bad, and definitely don’t feel bad for feeling okay. Once you let yourself go through the grieving process, it will be easier to move on.

3. Don’t Make Any Hasty Decisions

As you navigate through such a stressful period in your life, try not to make any major decisions or changes. It can be very difficult to make great decisions when you are literally going through such a difficult time. Be patient with yourself—take it one day at a time until you feel as though your head is clear, and you are ready to make rational decisions, not ones driven by emotions

4. Find Your Support System

Don’t go through this period of your life alone. This is the time to find your people. Whether it’s friends, family, a therapist, or a support group, lean on people that build you up and help you to be the best version of yourself. Try not to isolate yourself, no matter how hard it may be—push yourself to get out, socialize, and enjoy life with others

5. Think Positively And Move On

Easier said than done, right? It can be extremely difficult to maintain a positive attitude during this time but try your best. Keep realistic expectations, be flexible, focus on the good things in life, and surround yourself with happy things. Take the time you need to heal from the breakup and those feelings of loss. You will get through this!

By Logan Matura

At Frank Amar Matura, our Arizona Family Law Attorneys Gary Frank, Hanna Amar, and Logan Matura are strong litigators and compassionate counselors. Gary Frank is a Phoenix Family Law Attorney with over 30 years of experience as a litigator and mediator. He has also acted in the capacity of a Judge Pro Tempore in the Maricopa County Superior Court and served on the Governor’s Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. Law firm Partner, Hanna Amar is a highly-skilled Arizona Family Law Attorney with a passion for Family Law and children’s issues. She has extensive courtroom experience and is also a certified mediator. Hanna has also acted as the President of the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Maricopa County Bar Association. Associate Attorney Logan Matura is an Arizona Family Law Attorney who received her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in Manhattan, NY. While in law school, she served as an intern for a Family Court judge in the Bronx, NY, and was a member of the Family Attorneys Mobilizing club. Our firm handles Family Law cases in the areas of divorce, custody (now called “Legal Decision-Making and Parenting Time), relocation (move-away), division of property, spousal and child support, modification actions, enforcement actions, grandparent and step-parent and non-parent rights, as well as other matters pertaining to families and children. If you are in need of a consultation, call us today at 602-922-9989; or you can contact us by email through our website at www.famlawaz.com. We look forward to hearing from you.