Healthy Habits
From exercise, to sleep, to healthy eating, the choices you make every day can help you stay sharp.
Health
Having a healthy routine like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced diet to keep your body and mind working well.
Mindfulness
Even though it may seem as if your emotions are all over the place, try to stay centered and maintain a sense of calm. Think about trying some mindfulness exercises. This can be as simple as observing your breathing or committing to a 5-10 minute daily meditation practice.
Stress
Do your best to handle stress in a healthy way. Staying clear-headed during divorce is the most important thing you can do for yourself.
Emotional Support
It is important to have someone who will be supportive and who you feel comfortable talking about your feelings with. It can be a therapist, a trusted friend, or family member. Confiding in someone can help you find connection and support.
Safety Tips
Abuse isn’t always physical – it can be verbal, psychological, or emotional.
It might seem unnecessary, but consider having a safety plan in place to stay away from potentially dangerous situations:
The home of a friend or relative as a designated "safe space"
A short-term supply of necessities (cash, toiletries, change of clothes)
If necessary, you can apply for a domestic violence restraining order, which can be issued immediately by a judge or even the local police department if it's an emergency.
Another option is a local shelter or domestic violence hotline. These resources are available to help in situations that might be unsafe and can provide short-term shelter.
If you feel that your safety, your loved ones’ safety, or the safety of your property is at risk, you should immediately contact 911 or another help line. Some police departments may also escort you to gather your things.
Another option is a local shelter or domestic violence hotline. These resources are available to help in situations that might be unsafe and can provide short-term shelter.
Self-Care
Remember to take care of yourself first, especially if family members depend on you.
Divorce causes all sorts of emotions. At times you might feel sad, lonely, worried, angry, and bitter.
As difficult as some days may be, you still have to put your game face on and get down to the business that is getting divorced. Unlike assets, which can be temporarily frozen, your life still goes on.
Self-care is of upmost importance so that you stay healthy and strong.
Learn more about mental health resources
Connect with local organizations
These organizations can offer peer and family supports, and provide general information on treatment and available services for mental health issues.
Find a therapist
Psychology Today provides a comprehensive directory of therapists, psychiatrists, and treatment facilities near you.
A mantra for when things get tough
It’s important to take care of yourself, especially if family members rely on you. Feelings associated with divorce are varied and complex. At various times you can expect to feel sad, lonely, bewildered, worried, angry, bitter, and frustrated. But you still have to be about the business of getting a divorce. Unlike assets, which can be temporarily frozen, your life still goes on. Staying healthy and resilient during a divorce is largely a matter of self-care.
So practice self-compassion: Give yourself grace and permission to not feel like you have to do everything perfectly.
As you figure out how to function in this new stage, take care of yourself and focus on what you need to do to get through this process.
Surround yourself with supportive family and friends, people who love you and will boost your overall well-being.
Expect to spend more
Living single can be costly—most people’s expenses go up 30% after a divorce, so budget accordingly.
Focus on the long term
Ignoring your well-being or avoiding a full assessment of your finances will hurt your outlook.
Clarity begins with a conversation
Contact Lockwood Financial today for 1-on-1 guidance during life’s big decisions. We believe in making the complex simpler, because we want you to be confident about the decisions you make—next week, next year, and beyond.