The holidays are stressful enough without throwing relationship problems into the mix and the increased obligations often exacerbate relationship problems. We all know that your personal life cannot take a break just because it’s holiday season. For many people dealing with divorce during the holidays, it is extra challenging on all levels. Whether the divorce was your choice or not, it’s important to remind yourself that that you will get through this. No matter how anxious or stressed you’re feeling, there are a few tips to help you keep your head up when you’re going through a divorce during the holiday season.
Take care of yourself
First off, make sure you’re taking care of yourself physically. Get plenty of sleep. Hit the gym. Go for a brisk walk in our beautiful Arizona weather. Drink more water. Follow a healthy diet. When you’re dealing with emotional stress, it can be easy to neglect your physical health because you’re feeling so tense. Ignoring your health can cause more stress or cause you to be less able to deal with the existing stress you have, thus weakening your immune system. Make sure you take some time to focus on your own well-being!
Get emotional support
While spending time with friends and loved ones may help you feel connected, that changes brought on by divorce can be emotionally draining. A trained therapist often is able to offer additional support for you during this time that friends and family along cannot provide. A therapist may also help you to understand what emotions you’re experiencing so that you realize that what you are going through is fairly normal and that you are not overstressing or overreacting. They may recommend healthy ways to cope with those emotions.
Be honest about your limitations
When you’re going through a huge life change, such as a divorce, you may find that some days are harder than others. There may be days when you struggle to get out of bed or when the idea of attending a holiday social event seems unbearable. Give yourself a break. Understand that it’s okay to have days where you can’t do everything. Allow yourself the freedom to rest.
Enjoy yourself
Perhaps most importantly, take some time to enjoy yourself. The holiday season is supposed to be fun and exciting. Give yourself permission to have fun eating too many cookies or buying too many gifts. That’s what the holidays are all about. While you may be dealing with something quite difficult and even traumatic, remember that it’s okay to have fun and to enjoy yourself. Having fun doesn’t mean you aren’t sad about your relationship ending or that you aren’t mourning. It simply means that you’re also able to find pleasure in the little things.
No matter how long your marriage lasted, remember that divorce is often the right choice and is not a failure but a beginning of new chapter in your Book of Your Life. Separating from your partner during the holidays doesn’t have to be a nightmare. When you’re ready to start moving forward with your life, it’s important to seek the assistance of a professional divorce attorney.
McMurdie Law and Mediation has provided exceptional family law representation and mediation since 1995 in Tempe and surrounding areas. We can help you devise a plan for the next phase of your life. Call 480-777-5500 to schedule a consultation today.