How to Manage Anxiety During Divorce?

Divorce is stressful. Your relationship is ending and you are facing new social, financial, and familial circumstances. Many people experience severe anxiety and other emotional issues while going through a divorce. Below, our seasoned and compassionate New Jersey divorce and family law attorney offers tips on how to manage your anxiety during your divorce.

Learn About the Divorce Process

One of the biggest sources of stress and anxiety is the unknown. Divorce can be a scary thing, especially when you don’t know what to expect. The more you can learn about the divorce process ahead of time, the more emotionally prepared you will be for what is to come. Talk to your divorce attorney at the beginning of the case, and ask all of your questions. Talk to friends and family who have been through a divorce, if you are comfortable doing so. You will feel more empowered knowing what to expect and how best to prepare.

Talk to Friends and Family

Keeping your feelings bottled up will only exacerbate your anxiety and likely make you feel more isolated and alone. If you have close friends or family with whom you feel comfortable, talk about your experiences, your worries, and your feelings with them. They may or may not have any advice, but simply being heard can do wonders.

Talk to a Professional

Whether or not you feel comfortable confiding in friends or family, talking to a professional counselor or therapist is always helpful. Your therapist is a neutral party who is prepared to hear your thoughts without judgment. Therapists who specialize in grief counseling or post-divorce counseling will have expertise in dealing with your exact situation.

Exercise Regularly

Studies have shown time and again that the benefits of exercise go beyond the physical. Exercise has been shown to reduce fatigue, improve alertness and concentration, and reduce stress and anxiety. When stress has impaired a person’s energy or ability to concentrate, the beneficial effects are compounded. Regular aerobic exercise, even just five minutes, can reduce overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize a person’s mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Additionally, exercising can help you improve your body image, which can mitigate some of the negative emotional aspects of divorce.

Keep Your Daily Routine and Hobbies

A divorce can upend many aspects of your life. The more you can do to keep things normal and consistent, the lower your stress and anxiety levels will be. If you have hobbies, keep them. Maintain your social life. Having a creative outlet can help as well. Keeping normalcy will keep you from feeling like things are out of control.

Picture Your Ideal Outcome

Positive thinking has a much more tangible effect than many people realize. By focusing on the positive, you will set goals for yourself to achieve and will maintain a more positive mental state throughout the process. Remind yourself that your grief and unhappiness are only temporary and that the light at the end of the tunnel is real.

Trusted Advice and Representation from a New Jersey Family Lawyer

If you need experienced and effective legal help with divorce, premarital agreements, child support, alimony, or other family law matters in New Jersey, contact the Union offices of family law attorney John B. D’Alessandro at 908-964-0102.