A divorce is one of the most stressful situations a person can go through. Did you know that even the human body has a negative response to divorce? Studies have shown that the stress of a divorce can compromise the immune system, which leaves people at a greater risk of illness.
The more stressful your divorce is, the more likely it is that you will become unwell or see other negative effects on your health and life.
What happens when the body is stressed?
With a divorce, there will be known stressors and unknown stressors. With the divorce-stress scale, it’s easier to identify how stressed you are and the likelihood of falling ill. Those who score 300 or more should be looking into ways to reduce their stress however that might be done.
What are common ways to reduce divorce stress?
There are dozens of ways to address your divorce stress, but some of the most useful may be the following:
- Get support. You can speak with therapists, family members, your attorney and others about your needs and get the help you need.
- Integrate exercise into your schedule. Studies have shown that exercise can improve your emotional, physical and mental state.
- Face obstacles as they arise. That may mean setting aside two days a week to work on divorce-related items or scheduling just an hour a day to address ongoing issues. By facing obstacles as they arise, you won’t put them off or allow them to pile up and become overwhelming.
- Don’t be afraid to share your grief. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come up, and then work to move past them into a healthier mental state.
Focusing on a positive outcome for your divorce will be beneficial to your entire future. Your attorney can assist you with the legal aspects of divorce, and other professionals, like your therapist or medical provider, can assist you with physical or mental concerns related to your divorce stress.