How to Cope with the Mental Anguish of Divorce

Divorce is never easy, even when you know that it's the right thing for you. You may be plagued by feelings of doubt and remorse. Perhaps you'll even experience moments where you wonder if getting divorced is a mistake.

The mental anguish of divorce may seem endless, but with coping strategies, you can begin to change your perspective. The first step is acknowledging that you're going to experience a huge range of emotions throughout the process. While these emotions can be intense, they also are normal. Similarly, your feelings are not permanent. They will change, and this is ok too. Venturing into unknown territory always involves discomfort.

Another way to cope with the mental anguish of divorce is to use good self-care practices. Spend some time reflecting on what makes you feel better in this difficult time. Do you like to soak in a hot bath? Sit back with a cup of tea? Play basketball with your kids? Take a long hike in the wilderness? Whether you want to spend time with supportive friends and family or take a few hours for yourself, it's important to regularly engage in activities that are all about taking care of yourself.

It also makes sense to avoid fighting with your soon-to-be-former spouse as much as possible. Productive discussions and negotiations are fine, but as soon as the interaction veers into the territory of an argument, it's time to disengage. Fighting is almost always counterproductive at this point.

In the interests of taking care of yourself and avoiding fights, another way to improve your mental outlook is by choosing to mediate your divorce rather than litigating. Mediation is less confrontational and far more collaborative. Rather than fighting over every small decision, mediation gives you and your family a chance to heal and make helpful, healthy choices.

Additionally, mediation tends to resolve issues and the divorce process far more quickly than litigation does. The upshot is that your family is able to move forward more efficiently. This may go a long way toward soothing your mental anguish so that you can develop a more hopeful outlook.

If you are looking for help coping with the mental anguish of divorce, then contact the Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971. These legal professionals will guide you through the mediation process so that you can move on with your life.