A little bit of stress in our lives can actually be healthy, according to the American Psychological Association—but the kind of stress you experience during a divorce could interfere with your ability to make sound choices. This harmful stress can also lower your immune system’s response to threats and put you at risk for heart disease, obesity and even kidney problems.
If you feel like you’re under too much pressure, ask your Durham divorce lawyer if he or she knows a local professional you can talk to. Sometimes seeing a counselor or therapist can alleviate some of the pressure and help you get back on track.
Divorce Causes Extreme Stress… But Why?
The body’s natural response to a fight includes several complex brain functions, including the release of stress hormones. The problem that arises during divorce is that your “fight” switch is turned on most of the time; it doesn’t switch off, because you’re constantly embroiled in difficult issues your brain wants to fight its way out of. This is called chronic stress, and it can be harmful to your well-being if you don’t address it.
Fortunately, you can talk to your Durham divorce lawyer about using a mediator to help find common ground between you and your spouse. Resolving conflicts through a mediator can help lower your stress level and keep you healthy.
Relieving Stress: Home Remedies
Often, switching up your routine to include something you enjoy—or something that occupies your mind and gives you a mental break from your divorce—can alleviate stress and boost your mood. Try doing something therapeutic, like rearranging the furniture in your house (lift with your legs, not your back!) or start a new book.
Physical exercise is almost always good for relieving stress, as long as you do it in moderation and with the goal of feeling better, not total muscle exhaustion. Walk or jog a few blocks, knock out a few pushups and sit-ups, and then soak in a hot bath to relax your muscles and your mind.
Solutions for High-Conflict Divorce
Chances are, your Durham divorce lawyer has seen several high-conflict divorces in his or her office. If your divorce is causing too much stress, try to find “out of the box” solutions.
Talk to your Durham divorce lawyer about mediation and try to get a good handle on the big picture of divorce in North Carolina. That way, you’ll shed some of that weight on your shoulders and begin to move forward with your life again.
