Many people do not understand how hard getting a divorce is. The media doesn’t often portray how emotionally draining the process is and how it can linger long after the marriage has been dissolved.
Studies have shown that divorcees often experience grief at the same level as losing a loved one.
When you divorce using a collaborative divorce model, you and your spouse will work with the team to find a path forward that is agreeable to all involved. The team consists of an attorney for each spouse, a financial neutral, and can also include mental health experts and child life specialists.
Here are a few suggestions we share with our clients on how to manage divorce grief:
- Acknowledge and name your emotions – if you don’t name them, you can’t heal and move on
- Journal – helps to process your feelings healthily
- Be kind to yourself – you are dealing with a major shift in your life
- Surround yourself with people who will lift you up, not tear you down
- Release negative thoughts – they are draining to your physical and emotional wellbeing
- Don’t ruminate about why your marriage is over – it can keep you from moving forward
- Eating healthy, sleeping, and exercising can be very healing
Reaching out to a mental health professional is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s quite the opposite – it’s empowering and releasing to talk to someone who is not emotionally tied to you. They give you a safe place to process your emotions of grief in a positive environment.
A Better DivorceTM is an interdisciplinary group of professionals committed to non-court, non-confrontational solutions for family law matters.
We will provide you with access to qualified professionals who can help you determine if the collaborative divorce process is right for your family. Contact us today!
Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal/financial/tax/or mental health advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, mental health or tax professional to determine what will work best for your situation.