Practicing self-care may be the last thing on your mind when you are going through a divorce. The divorce process in California involves many legal steps and requirements, which are often difficult to handle while you are emotionally processing your divorce.
Add that to the stress that comes with finding a new place to live, adjusting to living on one income or reducing the stress on any children that are involved and self-care becomes a rather low priority.
However, prioritizing self-care during your divorce has many benefits. Additionally, there are many small things that can make a huge difference in your life during and after your divorce.
Surround yourself with the right people
A good support system goes a long way. Part of finding a support system involves removing toxic people from your life. Resist the urge to isolate altogether and reach out to people who make you feel good about yourself and are not judgmental.
Set boundaries. Maybe you don’t feel like going to your friend’s holiday party this year or going for the weekly after-work drinks. Allow yourself to say no if you feel you simply won’t be able to handle it. Remember that these feelings are only temporary.
Divorce necessarily involves an upheaval in your life and an adjustment to a new routine. Try to follow any old routines as much as is practically possible. For example, if you normally go to bed early and do yoga in the morning, continue to do so.
Limit or avoid social media
If you are like most people, social media is part of your everyday life. Try to limit your social media time during your divorce. Ideally, avoid it altogether, although realistically that might be difficult. At a minimum, do not look at it for a few hours before bedtime to increase your chance of sleeping well.
These are just a few tips to help you take care of yourself through your divorce. Remember that your divorce will be complete one day and you can move on with your life.
