Getting divorced is never easy, which is why looking after yourself is crucial in order to feel better. In this article, we share 10 essential self-care tips for moms going through a divorce.
When your marriage breaks down it can be hard to manage your emotions and deal with all the practical elements Many people don’t understand the legal process to follow and are unsure of their duties and rights.
Getting support one of the best ways to practice self-care during this time, whether that’s leaning on friends and family, hiring extra help around the house, or booking a
free consultation with a divorce solicitor.
Besides getting support, there are many ways that you can look after your health during this hard time. In this article, we’re going to take a look at 10 essential self-care tips for mums going through a divorce.
1. Practice Yoga
Going through a divorce can be an extremely stressful time which is why is vital that you adopt some coping tactics to improve your mental health. Regular exercise is a fantastic way to get the endorphins pumping, reduce stress levels and boost the mood.
Yoga in particular is one of the best fitness activities to calm the mind, regulate sleep, and improve your mental health. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, ‘regular Hatha yoga exercise significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in women.’
For busy mums who struggle to get to a yoga class, there are plenty of yoga YouTube videos that you can use, to practice conveniently from the comfort of your own home.
2. Try Journaling
Self-care is about looking after your body and mind the best you can, particularly during hard times. When you’re feeling tense and need to relax, writing in a journal can be a great way to get feelings off your chest, reflect on your emotions and unwind. Journaling has so many amazing self-care benefits including:
- A place to set healthy goals
- Somewhere to Write down your feelings which can feel very therapeutic
- It can be useful if you’re finding it hard to talk about your emotions
- It can help reflect on positive ambitions for the future
- Is a great way to maintain your mental health
3. A Healthy Diet
Self-care needn’t be complicated, sometimes, it’s just about getting the basics right. When you’re feeling down, a healthy diet makes all the difference. Focus on eating plenty of nutritious foods, particularly, foods that are proven to boost your mood. Some great choices include fatty fish, oats, nuts, berries, and bananas.
Being too restrictive about what you eat might make you feel worse in the long run. Therefore it is important to treat yourself to your favorite foods and avoid being too hard on yourself.
4. Get Creative
There are so many different ways to practice self-care as a mum, and it can take a little trial and error to find the best activities. When you’re figuring out what works for you, exploring your creative side can be incredibly cathartic.
According to a study in the Journal of Positive Psychology practicing creative activities is a great way to cultivate positive psychological functioning. Why not incorporate a creative activity into your self-care routine? There are plenty of options whether it’s painting, drawing, dance, or musical instrumentals.
One of the best things about practicing creativity is that these activities are often suitable for you and your children to enjoy together.
5. Lean on Friends
Taking care of yourself is about listening attentively to your body and mind, and figuring out what you need. When you’re going through hard times it can be tough to manage without support. During a divorce, it’s vital that you lean on your friends and your family.
You can use your support network in many different ways whether it’s a family member to talk to, or friends to join you on a nice day out. If you’re finding it hard to chat to the people around you, perhaps you might benefit from joining a support group.
6. Improve Your Sleep
Getting enough sleep is such an important part of self-care, but when you’re feeling tense, it’s easy to get into a bad routine. Thankfully there are many ideas that you use to improve your sleep, including:
- Practicing relaxing activities before bed, for instance, yoga or meditation
- Turning off electronics at least an hour before you sleep
- Trying relaxing herbal aids including valerian root or passionflower
- Using sleep apps, as these have plenty of useful activities
7. Set Manageable Goals
Going through a divorce as a mother is incredibly challenging, you’ll be trying to look after your own health, while also supporting your children. The process can be a difficult balancing act, and so it’s helpful to set manageable goals. When you’re creating a self-care routine, be realistic about what you can achieve. Set yourself easy-to-reach goals whether it’s a 30-minute walk in the park or twenty minutes reading a good book.
When you’re going through a divorce you and your children will be adapting to a new routine, and this can be hard at first. Give yourself time to adapt to a new schedule, and ensure that you are kind to yourself.
8. Time to Yourself
Having time to yourself is an important act of self-care, don’t be afraid to find a babysitter every now and then and give yourself the day off. When you have time to yourself to fully attend to your needs, you’ll ensure that you feel more relaxed, fulfilled, and ready to face these challenging times.
9. Give your Kids Space
Your children may well feel some degree of anger when they find out that their parents are getting divorced, particularly if they are older children. This is quite normal, and during this time it’s best to give your children some space. Of course, you’ll want them to know that you are being supportive. Regardless, it’s better that both the adults and the kids have time and space to process their feelings.
10. Get Extra Help
When you’re feeling rushed off your feet, it’s difficult to take good care of yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might well consider getting a little extra help. Whether it’s hiring a part-time housekeeper or someone to walk the dog, getting a little extra help can do wonders for your health.
One of the best ways to get extra help during this time is to hire a divorce solicitor, they’ll be able to guide you through the process, with minimal stress, and ensure that you protect your legal rights. Negotiating your finances and child arrangements can be complex, which is why it helps to have an expert on your side.
Self-Care During Divorce is Paramount
It’s vital that mums look after their health when going through a divorce, and thankfully there are many ways that you can do so. From practicing yoga to journaling and hiring in extra help, even small things can make a huge difference.
Looking after your health will allow you to support yourself and your kids through this difficult time. The most important thing is to ask for help if you need it.
