A lot of people focus on the financial repercussions of divorce. However, splitting from your spouse can also interfere with your emotional and mental health.
Recovering from divorce takes time and requires patience. Focusing on your ability to control your life can help you reclaim control of your future.
Emotional health
A toxic marriage can do a lot of damage to your self-esteem and your self-confidence. If your former spouse had narcissistic personality traits, you might have silently suffered for a number of years. Emotional recovery from a bad marriage and subsequent divorce might look like the following:
- Making independent decisions
- Setting boundaries
- Learning to say no
- Regaining self-respect
The sooner you prioritize your mental and emotional health, the faster and more sustainably you will recover. This could mean writing about your experience, discussing it with trusted friends or even hiring a therapist to help you work through any trauma.
Physical health
The demands of dealing with a divorce might tempt you to put your health on the back burner. However, this decision will only prolong your recovery and could leave you battling weight gain, insomnia and even addiction among other things. According to Psychology Today, in the wake of your divorce, take time to exercise a few times each week. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Eat a nutrient-rich diet. Drink plenty of water. Get enough rest. Meditate or take time to sit in quiet.
Divorce can take anywhere from 12-24 months or more to fully recover from. Putting yourself first might expedite this process for you. Reclaiming control of your life will allow you to rebuild your future and find happiness again.