Approximately 50 percent of marriages end in divorce in the United States.
Breaking up with a spouse is difficult. It can be emotionally and financially draining. These emotional and financial stresses can seem extremely overwhelming. Life changes of this magnitude can make you feel like it's the end of the world. But fortunately there are coping mechanisms that will help you through this difficult time.
Instructions
1. Let yourself grieve the end of your relationship and recognize the feelings you have. Emotions such as hurt, betrayal, fear, anger and grief are common for couples to experience when going through a divorce. You must accept these feelings before you can understand the reason for them and then start the process of replacing these feeling with positive emotions.
2. Realize that you may not be functioning at your best. Don't be too hard on yourself or overexert yourself. Take your recovery one step at a time. Prioritize what you must do and get the nurturing you need. Take breaks and do things that help relieve stress, like taking long hot baths, listening to calming music or getting massages.
3. Talk about how you feel with others. Share your emotions in order to deal with them and move on.
4. Let your children know that you are there for them and that you are open to listening if they should need to share their feelings.
5. Get help from outside sources if necessary, such as professional counseling or by joining a support group.
6. Plan your future instead of dwelling on the past. It is your goal to move on and start fresh, so cultivate new friendships and participate in new activities that interest you.
7. Maintain your health by getting enough sleep, exercise and good food. Avoid excessive eating, smoking, drinking or drug use as a coping mechanism.
8. Avoid making big decisions until your emotions are settled and the stresses in your life, brought on by the separation, have subsided.
9. Maintain a positive attitude and be patient with yourself and others. Avoid shifting blame and do not hold on to negative feelings. Take responsibility for your part in the separation and let what you learn about yourself be a blueprint for self-improvement.
Tags: your emotions