We all know how damaging stress can be on our bodies. It is a natural phenomenon that we all experience from time to time. If you have gone through a divorce you are all too familiar with the stresses that go along with it, not only for you, but for your children as well. There are so many changes that happen all at once. Everyone’s roles shift as they are trying to navigate this new journey and it isn’t always easy. Everyone is dealing with their own set of emotions and trying to deal with them in their own way. Like it or not, it’s going to be a stressful time for everybody.
Because stress can be so damaging to our bodies we need to find effective ways that we can cope with that stress we are experiencing. While our situation isn’t going to change, we can change our reaction to it. Focus on the things that are in your control. There’s no sense in worrying about things you can’t change. If you are feeling overwhelmed at the tasks at hand, take a deep breath and prioritize. What things on your list are most important, focus on those first and the other things will fall into place. Don’t forget to make room on your list for a little “you” time. If your needs aren’t met, there is no way you will be able to meet anyone else’s. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time; even five minutes can make all the difference in the world.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. You aren’t expected to be superwoman here. You are doing a hard job alone. You can only do so much. Don’t add to your stress. Long-term stress increases your risk of heart disease, sleeping problems, depression, obesity, and many other health conditions. If you feel like you are taking on more than you can handle, re-evaluate things and try again, your health depends on it!