Taking Care of Yourself After a Breakup – It is safe to say that divorce is one of the most stressful events you can go through. Besides dealing with a bevy of upsetting emotions, you are now faced with major life changes that you were less than prepared for. If unchecked, the stress and turmoil of a breakup can wreak havoc on your mental, physical and mental health. This is why it is crucial that you take extra care of yourself during this period.
You need to put yourself first. Ensure that you get plenty of sleep, avoid other life stressors, and if possible, reduce your workload. Learning to love and take care of yourself is key to quick healing and moving on. It is also a valuable lesson that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. In the midst of the pain and loss you are experiencing, learn from what you are going through to improve yourself and make better decisions in the future. Divorce Therapy at Clarity Clinic will help you through this difficult part of your life.
Tips to take care of yourself
Set aside time each day to nurture yourself.
Ideally, make time for those things and activities that make you happy and help you to relax. Start spending more time with close friends and family, book a massage session, go for a nature walk, take a relaxing bubble bath, read a book you like, enroll in a yoga class, go for a cycle or savor a warm cup of tea.
Focus on what is best for you and make sure to openly express your needs.
Prioritize what you believe is right for you regardless of what your ex or others may think. Don’t say “yes” just to please others when you know it’s not what you want right now.
Create a routine.
A breakup, especially after a long relationship, can turn your whole life upside down leaving you lost and devastated. However, establishing a post-breakup routine can help you regain some structure and normalcy in your life.
Take time out.
When you are going through this rollercoaster of emotions, you may not be thinking straight and it is easy to rush into decisions that you may later regret. So, avoid making any big life decisions, for example moving to a new city or starting a new job, in the first few months of a separation or divorce until you’ve calmed down.
Don’t use food, alcohol, or drugs as a coping method.
It is common practice for people to use food, drugs, or alcohol to help them cope with difficult situations including separation and divorce. However, this is not only unhealthy but also destructive in the long run. Try to find other healthier ways to cope with the pain and loneliness. The Emotional Intelligence Toolkit from HelpGuide can help.
Discover new passions.
A divorce or breakup should not only serve as the end of a chapter in your life but also the beginning of an exciting new one. Use this opportunity to pursue new interests and activities. Engaging in fun new activities allows you to live the moment and be happy instead of dwelling on your past losses.
Make healthy choices
It is easy to let yourself go when going through a divorce or breakup. People who previously lead a very healthy lifestyle may start making self-damaging choices like overeating and slumping all day on the sofa. They have no motivation to exercise and may have trouble sleeping. Any progress that you make towards healing won’t matter if you don’t make long-term healthy lifestyle choices.
