The team at Lund Bennett Law know first-hand how stressful family issues such as divorce, separation and child arrangements can be for clients. With current statistics showing that 1 in 2 marriages will end in divorce, it is a stress that many have to face. On Mental Health Awareness Week we wanted to highlight our top 5 tips on managing your mental health during a relationship breakdown.
- Seek professional help from a therapist or coach
Most importantly, seeking help and having somebody independent to discuss concerns and worries with can be particularly useful whilst going through a divorce. There are also now specialist divorce coaches available whose focus is to help you re-build and look to the future during a time of relationship breakdown.
- Get out into nature/ exercise
Getting some fresh air and taking the time to disconnect from electronic devices during stressful times can really help to compartmentalise your problems and take a step back. Being aware of your surroundings and moving your body can curb the urge to immediately respond to a potentially upsetting email or letter during divorce negotiations.
- Build social networks
Creating social groups outside of those which existed as part of a previous relationship can help in establishing some distance between ex-partners. Focusing on a shared interest or goal with new friends can be a great way to keep busy and can alleviate anxiety.
- Explore a new hobby
Investing time and energy into developing a new skill can be particularly helpful for mental health. It may be something that has been on your bucket list for a long time and will give you that sense of achievement.
- Start journalling
An activity which has become more popular in recent years, journalling involves writing down your thoughts and feelings, sometimes at a certain time of day as a tool of reflection. It may also help to include a sentence of gratitude each day to remind yourself there are still things to be thankful for.