Breakups are tough at the best of times. When you’ve been married for some time, have a family, and find that your relationship has broken down beyond repair, the process can be a whole lot tougher. To avoid a traumatic experience that could make it difficult to cope in the future, it’s essential to take certain steps. Do these things and you should find that the process of your divorce is far less stressful than it could be.

 

1. Get the right team working with you. Unlike a pre-marital breakup, divorce comes with its own unique set of legal and financial complications. These complications can make you feel stressed and overwhelmed on top of the natural difficult emotions you’re experiencing about your relationship ending. Working with a family law advice melbourne service who understand the legal side of things will certainly take some of that burden off of your shoulders.

2. Look after yourself. Some people battle to take care of themselves when they’re struggling emotionally. Even if you’re feeling depressed and disheartened, you have to take proper care of yourself. Try to eat regular nutritious meals, get a good night’s sleep every night, and stay away from depressants like alcohol that could make you feel even worse in the long-term. Your emotions may be in turmoil, but your body doesn’t have to follow.

3. Keep the kids out of it. When children are involved in a divorce, things understandably become more difficult. There are things you can do, however, to ensure that your separation and divorce have a minimal impact on your children. Try not to argue in front of them, and save grownup conversations for private time when they’re not watching or listening. Avoid attempting to get your children ‘on your side’ during the divorce process – this can lead to resentments and family difficulties down the line. It may be helpful to seek a specialist childhood psychologist to work with your children during this tough transition.

4. Stay calm. If the stress of the divorce process begins to get on top of you, it may help to learn some useful relaxation techniques to help you self-soothe and re-centre your thoughts. Deep breathing meditations, yoga, mindfulness practices, and exercise can all help reduce your anxiety levels. Experiment with strategies until you find one that works well for you.

5. Get support. No one deserves to go through a hard time alone. Stay in touch with your close friends and family so they can support you when you need a shoulder to cry on. Speak up when you’re feeling depressed or stressed, and be specific about exactly what you need from your loved ones. No one will be able to help you if you don’t give them a chance to try.

6. Give yourself time to grieve. A divorce is a major life change and for many people it can feel like a serious loss has occurred. Just as you would if someone close to you had died, you need to give yourself time to grieve the end of your marriage. Don’t expect to feel better instantly – let the process happen naturally, and go easy on yourself. In time, life will begin to feel slightly more normal, so try to keep a positive vision of the future.