Divorce is well documented as being a stressful time. So, it is particularly important to look after yourself – however difficult this may seem when you feel low down on your list of things to ‘do’ or care for. Divorce is often a time of rapid change and uncertainty – a sense of personal stability can be hard to find but is of upmost importance. This requires you to prioritise your personal well-being in order for you to process the information surrounding your divorce and make decisions for you and your family. Counselling can help with divorce related stress.
Stress can feel unpleasant even when it is transient. Perceived danger produces signals in the brain that allows us to remove ourselves from danger – like jumping out of the way of an oncoming car before we think about what we are doing. The brain triggers an efficient fight or flight response providing the body with a surge of energy to react to a potential threat.
How does this relate to your divorce process? Difficulties can arise when a person is under intense situational stress or chronic stress. The body can remain on high alert, which has many potential physiological side effects. The time scale of a divorce is often lengthy and uncertain. In the short term, the influx of adrenalin can give feelings of light headedness, changes to breathing, create muscle tension, change skin temperature and pallor and impact on digestion. The effects of chronic stress can be distressing and confusing. They can include poor concentration and memory function, disturbed sleep patterns, changes to blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, chronic muscle pain and digestive conditions such as IBS.
The good news is that there are many ways of acknowledging, understanding and learning to reduce the effects of stress on your body and mind. This can be of utmost importance during the process of divorce, which will often require you to make complicated decisions at a challenging time. It may be useful to talk to a counsellor to understand the different responses that you may be having and to find techniques and strategies that work for you to try to counter the stress response.
Contact Hawkins Family Law about to discuss how counselling can help with divorce related stress or to arrange an assessment with our counsellor.
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