How to Maintain Your Mental Health During Your Illinois Divorce

 Posted on November 18, 2020 in Divorce

For many people, a divorce is a time of heightened emotions, including sadness over the end of your marriage, anger at your spouse’s behavior, and fear surrounding what will happen next. It can also be a huge source of stress, as you face the prospect of making important decisions that can affect the rest of your life, and possibly going through a lengthy trial or negotiation process. During this difficult time, it is more important than ever that you focus on your mental health while letting an experienced attorney help you navigate the legal proceedings. 

Strategies for Promoting Mental Health

It can be hard to put your mental health first with everything else competing for your attention during the divorce process, but here are some suggestions that might be beneficial:

• Know your limits. Divorce can be mentally exhausting, and trying to push yourself too far can lead you to a breaking point. It is okay to step away for a bit if the stress becomes overwhelming, or to ask for help when you need it.

• Be open to your emotions. Trying to subdue your emotions or hold them in can be unhealthy. It is better to be honest with yourself about the way you are feeling so that you can cope with your emotions rather than denying them.

• Practice self-care. Your physical health and mental health are often closely related. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, and other self-care exercises like yoga and meditation can help you cope with the challenges you are going through.

• Look to your support system. It can be hard to talk to other people about your divorce and the struggles that you are going through, but remember that your close friends and family members are often willing to listen and lend a hand, and divorce support groups are also a good option when you need someone who can relate to your situation.

• Plan for the future. Focusing too much on the past or present can make your situation feel hopeless, but looking to the future may give you more reason for optimism. Think about new hobbies or opportunities you want to explore, or set goals and start making plans to achieve them.

• Seek professional help. A trained mental health professional can help you work through the stress and emotions of your divorce, and is especially important if you are experiencing feelings of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. Do not be afraid to seek help from someone who is qualified to provide it.

Contact a Lombard, IL Divorce Lawyer

A qualified and compassionate DuPage County family law attorney can relieve you of the burden of handling the legal aspects of your divorce on your own, so that you have more energy to focus on yourself and your mental health. Call A. Traub & Associates today at 630-426-0196 to schedule a private consultation to discuss the details of your case.

Sources:

https://www.mhanational.org/separation-and-divorce

https://www.mentalhelp.net/divorce/emotional-coping/