Divorce is many things – one of them is a sh*t storm of emotions. Get yourself a snack and check out these tips for bringing more calm into your life.
Take it slow
Divorce doesn’t happen overnight. Logistically, it’s a slow process, and emotionally it takes even longer. Give yourself permission to slow down and remember that this all takes time.
The system often creates a sense of false urgency. Learn to recognize when something is truly urgent and when you can take a moment to breathe and plan your next move.
Breathe
One of the most powerful techniques is free and easy to access: your breath. When you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, take 1 minute to focus on your breathing. Even if you feel like you can’t spare a minute, make the time.
Try Belly Breathing: place your hand on your belly, close your eyes, and deeply inhale into your belly for a count of 8, then slowly exhale for a count of 8. Repeat 3-6 times and you will absolutely notice a difference! Check out this article for more breathing techniques.
Move
Move that body! Do something active, big or small. It can be a walk, 10 jumping jacks, some stretching… anything! Anything you do is good for your body and your brain.
Physical activity boosts your brain’s endorphins, which improve your mood and sense of well-being. And we could all use a dose of that.
Bring it back to basics
Get back to basics for your well-being. Ask yourself: Am I eating real food? Drinking water? Getting enough sleep? If not, what can you do to improve these essentials?
Think big picture
The system can trap you in details and make you focus on every issue, big or small, causing you to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Pause and ask yourself: How will I feel about this in 5 years? How will I view my actions in hindsight? How can I control my attitude and focus on what I can change?
Reframe negative experiences
Positive self-talk is incredibly powerful. Our thoughts shape our reality. Turn negative words into empowering moments. Try these self-talk changes:
- Negative: My marriage failed.
- Positive: I’m proud of myself for making a hard decision. That took courage.
- Negative: There’s no way this will ever work out.
- Positive: I can and will give what I can to get through this.
Divorce is hard. You are not doing it wrong. These 6 tips will help you create moments of peace during this journey.
If you have kids, remember they’re watching you, so you’re also teaching them how to find peace in their lives.
