Fostering positive mental health practices during and after divorce is an often forgotten and overlooked part of the process. The truth is, divorce will have a huge emotional impact on those going through it. Some experiences may be less turbulent than others, but it is important to focus on your mental wellbeing regardless. Mental health prioritization is becoming an increasingly more accepted and discussed topic. As we recognize the importance of promoting these topics, knowledge circulates, helping reduce harmful stigmas.

If you’re going through divorce the following tips will help you get started on your positive mental health journey. Consider this process no different than healing a physical wound. Prioritizing your mental wellness will help you remain stronger for yourself and those around you, even allowing you to practice better divorce parenting. This is your foundation for a positive and healthy future.

1. Accepting Change

During times of uncertainty it is normal for people to feel unmotivated, stressed, and struggle with finding happiness. Oftentimes divorce can lead to serious setbacks such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and disordered eating. Taking care to accept the need to cope early can set you up for planning healthy ways to do so.

Navigating acceptance during these times can be one of the most difficult steps, because the aspect of change unravels in more than just one way. Life after divorce becomes a matter of accepting a transforming reality altogether. Alongside adjustments to routines and family life, many individuals also experience changes to their mental state, future plans and the ideas that surround who they are as people. For most, these stages are usually highly uncomfortable and hard to accept. It is important to focus on changing your frame of mind when coping through these transformative times.

Here are some ways you can practice fostering a positive mental attitude and accepting change:

• Surrender to uncertainty and allow yourself to grow from the hardships that life throws at you
• Embrace independence by making decisions for yourself
• Remember that you have the power to craft a future of mental wellbeing

2. Practicing Self Care

We often forget that having a good relationship with ourselves allows us to care for those around us more effectively. Incorporating self care into a new routine can do a lot for the betterment of your mental health. For these practices to be most effective, first allow yourself to remember and believe that you deserve to take time for yourself and to care for yourself. Incorporating mindfulness into self care routines can be the most effective way to form a great relationship with yourself.

Here are some things you can do to practice self care:

• Get into the habit of repeating positive affirmations to yourself without judgment
• Take up something that used to give you a lot of joy
• Learn a new skill
• Stay active by incorporating exercise into your day
• Devote an extra hour before bed to perfecting a relaxing nightly routine

3. Seeking Therapy

You may be feeling like your situation is far too overwhelming to take on accepting change and self care on your own. Seeking therapy is a beneficial way to get yourself back up on your feet and tackling daily tasks. A common misconception with therapy is that you need to have hit your lowest to go. This is simply untrue and there is no requirement to seeking help. Therapists are qualified to handle varying situations and improving mental health means something different to everyone.

If you are unsure about seeking post divorce therapy, here are some common signs that you could benefit from professional help:

• You’re feeling depressed
• You have suffered abuse
• Having hope for a positive future is a struggle
• Thinking about coping with divorce is overwhelming

---

At Hussain Law we focus on helping our clients navigate the emotional and financial challenges of separation and divorce. Our office remains fully operational, and we have implemented various new procedures that allow us to continue to advise clients seamlessly during this time. If you have a family law issue that you need assistance with, please contact Ayesha Hussain at 647-428-3919.