Recognizing the Effects of Stress During Divorce

When your marriage is falling apart, you are likely to experience a great deal of emotional difficulty as you struggle to decide whether your relationship can be saved or whether it is best to end the marriage and move on. While making the decision to get divorced can bring some measure of relief, the actual process of divorce can be incredibly stressful as you work to separate your life from your ex-spouse and deal with the various legal issues which must be settled.

As you work to complete your divorce, it is important to pay attention to the effects that stress can have on your health and well-being. Here are some of the common effects that stress can have on both your body and your mind:

• Anxiety and depression – Uncertainty about the future and worries about finances can cause anxiety to those who are going through divorce. In addition, the major life changes you will experience, such as moving to a new home and adjusting to spending less time with your children, can result in feelings of depression.
• Insomnia – The stress of divorce, as well as changing schedules, routines, and living situations, often cause people to have difficulty sleeping. Unfortunately, lack of sleep often causes a further increase in stress.
• Weight gain or loss – Some people deal with stress by eating “comfort foods” that are often unhealthy, which can lead to weight gain. Others may lose their appetite or fail to eat regularly, leading to unhealthy weight loss.
• Immunity – Stress can lead to a weakened immune system, and those who are going through a divorce may find that they are more susceptible to colds or the flu.
• Substance abuse – Many people often turn to alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs to help them deal with the stress of divorce. While this may seem to provide some relief, it often ends up leading to increased levels of depression.

By recognizing these symptoms of stress, you can take steps to address them and create a healthy environment and routine for yourself as you work to build a new life after your divorce. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are great ways to address the stress of divorce. You may also want to see a therapist to work on some strategies for coping with the depression or anxiety you may be experiencing.

Contact a Wheaton Divorce Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Nancy Kasko, LLC, we can help you address the legal issues that must be resolved during your divorce, ensuring that you are able to begin your post-divorce life on the right foot. If you want to know more about how we can work with you to reach a positive outcome to your divorce case, contact a West Chicago divorce attorney today at 630-836-8540 to schedule your free initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/divorce-stress_n_3428932.php

https://www.prevention.com/sex/relationships/a20448176/divorce-and-health-effects/