We are always told to prioritize our health. Whether it’s our mental health or our physical body, we need to take care of ourselves first. However, our priorities tend to skew when we are going through challenging circumstances, such as divorce.
It’s critical to take a step back and recognize how a divorce could damage your health and makes you feel worse during a difficult period. Once you know what to look out for, you can treat it before it becomes a problem.
Emotional stress leads to physical conditions
Most people know that stress is not right on the body. There have been countless studies discussing the effects of stress on the heart, and a 2015 study found divorcees are more likely to develop chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. Everyone understands that pressure is not good for you.
However, it’s tricky to avoid stress during a challenging experience, such as divorce. You have to take time to decompress from your separation and focus on your self-care. If you don’t relax or de-stress, your divorce may end in a physical issue.
Divorces affect your mental health
Stress may impact your physical health, but it also changes your mental state. According to the Mayo Clinic, many significant life events increase the risk for anxiety and depression; divorce is a monumental life event for most people.
Both anxiety and depression weigh heavily on the mental health of people across the country. There is even a report that claims most people experience a depressive episode after divorce proceedings and do not recognize the warning signs. If you are experiencing mental health problems, consider visiting a therapist or a healthcare professional to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Many people lose sleep after a divorce
With a mixture of stress, anxiety and potential health issues, it’s not surprising divorcees tend to lose sleep for several weeks, possibly months for some folks. A lack of sleep or consistent exhaustion often leads to a slew of health issues, including high blood pressure, so it’s crucial that you find a way to get adequate rest.
All these health factors relate to one another, and they all connect via the source, a divorce proceeding. If you’re currently going through a separation, make sure to take time to take care of yourself and focus on your health when it’s necessary.