According to the World Health Organization, over 260 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The number of situations that can cause this condition is also high, including the death of a loved one, interrupted work-life balance, and emotional abuse. Moreover, one of the most common causes of depression is divorce.
Every divorce, no matter if it ends in the courtroom or not, is a life-changing event. After you and your partner decide to go separate ways, you might find yourself struggling to adjust to the new reality. Besides, you may experience a range of emotions you never felt before. These things can make you more susceptible to various conditions, depression being among the most serious ones.
To not succumb to post-divorce depression, you can, for example, ask professionals for help, stay in touch with your friends and family, try to find a new hobby, exercise more, and eat healthily. Here is our list of things you can do to avoid depression after divorce.
Accept It
The first thing you should do is accept the fact that your marriage is over. Although it might be difficult, the sooner you do it, the better for your mental health. It does not mean that you have to forget about your former life and never contact your spouse again. But you should never fool yourself by thinking that things can go back to how they were before the divorce.
People usually avoid confronting their true feelings because they are afraid of failing, getting hurt, or feeling guilty. However, if you avoid dealing with emotions, you will most likely get overwhelmed and depressed. So, try to calm down and accept the reality. Find a good therapist or a psychiatrist to help you deal with those emotions.
Reach Out for Support
Because divorce is a difficult process, you may find it challenging to manage it on your own. This is why it is great to seek out friends and family who can offer emotional support during these trying times. If they can’t support you, you can go to counseling sessions or talk to a life coach for advice on how to cope with the situation at hand. You might also check out places such as www.survivedivorce.com that offer support during divorces in a variety of different forms, from empathetic guidance to resources.
Find the Right Way to Talk About Your Ex-Spouse
It is normal to feel still upset when you hear your former partner’s name. However, talking about them in such a negative manner will not benefit your mental health in any way. Try to find a new habit of talking about your ex-spouse that will make you feel better. For example, you can focus on their good qualities during your everyday conversations and share them with others. Or, instead of dwelling on the past mistakes, try to think about all the good times you had together.
Get Lost in Your Life
When you are trying to deal with anxiety and depression, it helps to focus on your work life, going out with friends from time to time and cultivating your hobby. This will make you forget about everything else for a while and give you an opportunity to meet new people and connect with them. You can even ask them for advice on how to deal with post-divorce depression.
If you still feel lonely but unable to socialize with others, consider finding a job that will make you happy and satisfied. If you are a creative person, try to look for work that revolves around art; if you have a knack for writing, look for a job in this area, and so on. It might also benefit you to get lost in your favorite hobby or even find a new one. Try something you have always wanted to try!
Give Yourself Time to Heal
It does not matter what happens in your life – whether it is divorce or the death of a friend – it will take some time for you to heal completely. No matter if your ex-spouse left you because they wanted something else, you left them because they were abusive towards you, or you both simply decided it’s not something you want to hold on to, it will take time before you will feel like yourself again.
However, there is no need to rush things because this will only make things worse. Instead of trying to move on right away, give yourself time to heal and enjoy your freedom.
Be Aware of Your Feelings
You have to realize that post-divorce depression is a real condition. That, in turn, means you need to be aware of your feelings as they unfold. If you feel low or sad, you should understand that this is normal and not something you should fear. It can even help you move on in life. However, some people may experience prolonged sadness and may need professional help.
Don’t beat yourself up over anything you feel; allow yourself to cry or get angry – in short, confront your emotions. Don’t let them take control of your life.
Take Care of Yourself
When you are going through a difficult time, it is crucial to take care of yourself. To do so, you should eat right and exercise more often. Moreover, if you have trouble sleeping, make sure you get enough rest to restore your energy levels. You can also do other things to relax your mind and body, such as taking hot baths or reading a book. All these things will help you feel more energized and positive about your life again.
Get Out There and Meet People
It is well-known that spending too much time alone can increase your risk of developing depression. As such, you need to find ways to meet people who share the same interests when going through this challenging period in your life. For example, you can try going to the gym or join a sports team to do something you love with other enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The divorce process is never easy, and it usually leaves people stressed and depressed about their situation. However, by taking proper care of yourself, you will be able to handle it in the best way possible. Try to avoid making rash decisions because they are likely to backfire. Instead, take a deep breath, focus on the present, and try to accept that your marriage is over.
Once you’ve dealt with your most intense emotions, find a good way to talk about your ex-spouse, and focus on your work life. Then, you will be able to find the right way to go through all the changes.
