During divorce don’t neglect your mental health

On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Family Law on Friday, November 27, 2015.

The end of a marriage or common-law relationship brings with it many changes. In the course of finalizing the split there are many matters that need to be addressed. While financial matters are often front and center, when children are involved, matters related to them such as custody and support are also important. Though the focus during a split is usually on matters of this nature, the parties to a split should be aware of other things as well such as their mental health.

The emotional upheaval that accompanies the end of a relationship is often difficult. In addition to feeling angry and sad, it can be confusing to know how to move forward toward an uncertain future. There are a variety of steps that can be taken to try to keep these emotions under control.

The first is to do what you can to communicate with your kids so that they know you are there for them and do not think they are the cause of the split. Along those same lines, establish and maintain a routine for both you and your children. This can be good not only for you, but them as well.

Next, take the time to learn about things that can be done to cope with stress. Staying healthy by taking care of yourself is a good approach. Making sure to get enough sleep, exercise and eat well can make a huge impact for the better in the midst of a very stressful event.

It is inevitable that there will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. When that happens, it is important to take one day at a time and not focus on things that can’t immediately be dealt with. To get through this it can be helpful to talk with a therapist who specializes in relationship issues.

Many people who go through the end of a relationship do not have a background in family law. Working with someone who does can alleviate pressures and make it easier to focus on the matters at hand.

Related Posts: Understanding home ownership and property rights in a divorce, Travelling without children during a family law dispute, Set boundaries and rules to protect kids from child custody drama, Protecting credit amidst a family law dispute