Divorce can be overwhelming, especially when you add factors such as a custody fight, asset division, an angry spouse, legal battles, etc. Dealing with the stress and upheaval caused by your marriage’s breakdown can also cause you to forget your needs. If you’re in such a situation, below are some top tips on focusing on yourself when fighting divorce.
Consider Moving
One of the top ways to focus on yourself when fighting divorce is to move out. Conflict is common during divorce – this can affect your mental health when forced to live with your spouse. Therefore, moving out can help protect your emotional well-being, especially if you are going through a nasty divorce process.
Moving out can also help you meet the legal requirements of a divorce. For example, some jurisdictions require couples to be separated and live apart before a divorce is granted. But even without such a requirement, it can help you to prepare for life after divorce. For example, living apart allows you to discuss and handle child custody, property division, support, etc.
Another top reason to move out during the divorce is that it gives you a clean state – a chance to start afresh. Moving can allow you to be independent, rediscover yourself, and create a new chapter in your life. Therefore, you should not be afraid to talk to a realtor for help finding a new place you can call home.
However, before you make a move, there are some top issues you need to consider. First, moving will mean figuring out the marital home’s mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and property division. According to HG.org, moving out can also lead to an accusation of abandonment by your spouse, which can have serious legal consequences. Therefore, like with every other big decision when fighting divorce, you should consult your attorney before moving out.
Take Care of Your Health
Divorce can have serious side effects on your health. First, it can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, stress, anger, etc. Fighting divorce can also make you physically ill – some people suffer from physical conditions such as weight loss, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders. According to WebMD, divorce has also been linked to chronic health issues such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Additionally, when going through a divorce, life can become so hectic that you forget to care for your health. For example, you might be so focused on child custody, asset division, and finalizing your divorce that you forget essential things like visiting your dentist for a checkup. Divorce can also lead to unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet and eating habits or drug and alcohol abuse.
Therefore, it is vital to focus on your health during the divorce to protect yourself from any complications that may arise. One of the ways you can do this is by taking preventative health measures, such as, keeping regular doctor appointments with your local eye doctor, family doctor, dentist, gynecologist, etc. Additionally, you should visit a therapist who can help you deal with the stress of divorce and other significant changes involved in the process.
Besides seeking professional help, many other tips can help you care for your health during a divorce. For example, improving your diet and sleeping habits can help to boost your physical and mental health. Lastly, consider changing your health insurance, especially if you are covered under your soon-to-be ex-spouse.
Get a Pet
Fighting divorce can lead to loss of companionship and feelings of loneliness and isolation. Getting a pet is an excellent way to deal with these side effects. This is because pets can be emotional support animals; hence they can provide you with companionship and unconditional love, which can be uplifting.
Getting a pet also allows you to care for and show love. During the divorce process, the relationship with your spouse, children, and even family pets can be negatively affected, leaving you feeling lost. And while you can’t replace these relationships, caring for a new pet can be therapeutic and make it easier to deal with the loss of your marriage and family.
Lastly, pets can help you create a structure and routine, making dealing with the stress of divorce easier. For example, you must feed your pet, let it out for potty time or exercise, clean after it, take it to a puppy training class, and more. These responsibilities help create more structure, giving you an excuse to get up and do something.
However, it would help to consider the downsides of owning a pet before adopting. For example, pet care will add more expenses to your budget, which can be incredibly stressful if your financial situation changes after the divorce is completed. In addition, the added responsibility of a pet will also mean more duties and tasks you need to handle. Therefore, you need to consider your pet’s needs before adopting one.
Hang Out With Friends
Hanging out with friends is another top way to care for yourself when fighting divorce. Friends are vital during a divorce as they can offer you companionship and stability in the face of the upheaval caused by the end of your marriage. Additionally, they can give you an understanding ear and validation and help you regain your self-esteem.
Therefore, you should not be afraid to lean on your friends during the divorce process. For example, you can ask them for help with chores or spend time with them doing things like going out for coffee, sharing a meal, or simply talking. However, going through a divorce can also be a chance to try more fun and adventurous activities with your friends. For example, you can plan a night out or go hiking, camping, scavenger hunting, etc.
A divorce also gives you the perfect opportunity to try some adrenaline-inducing activities with your friends. For example, you can visit an axe throwing business for a fun ax-throwing session, which can help you relieve stress. You can also have fun with your friends and feel alive again by participating in skydiving, rock climbing, ziplining, bungee jumping, and more.
However, you should also be prepared to cut ties with some friends when going through a divorce. First, not everyone will be happy for you or supportive during the process. Secondly, losing some friends you shared with your spouse is common. However, on a positive note, divorce can also be a chance to make new friends who can offer you unconditional support.
Get in Shape
When fighting divorce, getting in shape can offer many benefits. First, physical exercise is a great excuse to get up and do something. Secondly, exercise helps reduce stress and improve your mood. This can help fight against any negative feelings and emotions common during the dissolution of a marriage.
Another benefit of getting fit during a divorce is that it can help restore your self-esteem. The improved body image can help you feel better about yourself. Additionally, the endorphins released while working out can improve your mental well-being and boost your confidence.
One of the top ways to get in shape during a divorce is to start going to the gym. Workouts will help you to get fit, improve your moods, relieve stress and anxiety, and boost your energy. In addition, going to the gym will allow you to meet new people and make friends.
Besides the gym, you can also take up a new activity such as swimming. This can be an excellent exercise activity if you prefer to work out in solitude. With swimming, you can visit your public or private pools near you or venture further outdoors to a beach or a lake. Alternatively, you can talk to a swimming pool company about installing a pool in your home.
Another excellent way to get in shape when fighting divorce is to participate in sports. Top options include tennis, cycling, running, soccer, basketball, martial arts, etc. You can also do fun activities such as dancing, paintballing, frisbee, hiking, rock climbing, etc.
Take Care of Your Home
Renovation is another excellent idea for putting your needs first when fighting divorce. First, home remodeling is therapeutic and can help you deal with the stress of the divorce. Secondly, home improvements can help you renew and claim a home for yourself if your partner has moved out or plans to move.
Doing home renovations during a divorce process can help sell your house faster if you plan to dispose of it. For example, a fresh coat of paint can improve the home’s appearance and attract more customers. Another excellent idea is to do a hardwood floor install, which can improve the condition of your home and even increase its value.
Home improvements may also be helpful if you’ve moved to a new house. For example, you may need plumbing service professional or company to fix your new home’s dishwasher, toilet, or bathtub. You can also use home remodeling to start afresh in your new home. For example, you can put in the décor pieces you’ve always desired, remodel the kitchen to fit your need, create a home office, etc.
However, before you renovate, you should consider a few things, especially where the marital home is involved. For example, home upgrades can affect the property division if you plan to sell the house or buy your spouse out. Therefore, you should talk to your lawyer before starting renovations to determine if they will affect your divorce.
Go on Vacation
A vacation is an excellent way of focusing on yourself and caring for your mental health and overall well-being. And there is no better opportunity or excuse to take a vacation than when fighting divorce. Amid the upheaval caused by your divorce, a break can help you pause and recharge your life, making it easier to cope.
You can find many vacation ideas to help uplift you when fighting a divorce. For example, you can book a weekend trip to a resort hotel where you can relax in comfort and convenience. If you love the water, you can also take a luxury cruise or consider a private boat charter and spend a few days relaxing on the water.
Other vacation ideas include camping, visiting a national park, spending a few days on a ranch, etc. However, you can also have fun with simple holiday ideas, such as visiting a spa, spending a day at the beach, or spending a few days at a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Alternatively, you can unwind by visiting your family and friends for a few days.
However, before taking a vacation, you should talk with your divorce attorney, especially if traveling out of the country. Holidays can also affect marital assets division and divorce settlements. Lastly, traveling with kids can be tricky, especially if you’re involved in child custody and are planning to travel out of state.
Plan for Your Future
Married couples often have joint plans for retirement, insurance, investments, home buying, end-of-life care, etc. Unfortunately, all of these plans immediately halt when the marriage ends. Therefore, planning for your future is another top way to focus on yourself when fighting divorce.
Planning for the future during divorce allows you to reinvent yourself and start over with plans that meet your wishes and desires. It is also an excellent way of gaining independence, especially if you’ve been married for an extended period. And lastly, it can help you to deal with the breakdown of your marriage by helping you move on.
One of the best places to start when planning for your future is with finances. A new financial plan is almost always inevitable during a divorce, as the process can significantly affect your finances. Therefore, you should take some measures, such as reducing your budget, saving more, increasing your income, etc., to help recover from the financial fallout.
When doing financial planning, you should also update essential items like your insurance – home, car, life, etc. Estate planning is also vital during a divorce, especially if you expect a financial fallout or want to change your beneficially.
Lastly, it would help to create a new end-of-life plan when you’re going through a divorce. For example, you should update things like your choice of a retirement home, power of attorney, and medical care in case of an illness. Proactive decisions such as funeral planning can also make it easy for your loved ones during your final days.
The end of a marriage is not easy – it can disrupt your life, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, and many other physical and mental health issues. The turmoil it causes can also cause you to forget your needs, worsening your situation. However, with the tips above, you can focus on your needs and take better care of yourself when fighting divorce.
