Whether you’re in the start, middle or end of a divorce proceeding, your life has likely been shaken, with your world left upside down. While divorce is often filled with uncertainty and emotions, there are also opportunities for you to grow and change. However you may feel about your divorce right now, take the time to add some new habits into your life that will help you relax, cope, reconnect with yourself and move forward.
A Real Workout Regimen
Exercise is not just good for your health; it’s a great way to relieve stress, too. Whether you’re already a gym regular or haven’t run since high school, a new routine can help you get your mind off of the stress of your divorce and give your body a boost. Getting started is simple. Look for a gym near you with good reviews and priced within your budget. If money is tight right now, try following free online routines or just making time to walk or jog daily. Just getting back into exercise can really help you focus and feel more calm, and you don’t need an expensive membership or equipment to do it.
A Healthy Cooking Mindset
Mealtimes are about more than just the act of eating and often carry emotional significance for people. You will need to adjust since you will be cooking for one less person or dealing with having to cook more often if your spouse was the one who primarily handled it. Take this time to work on your cooking skills and consider how meals can nourish your mind and your body.
If you’re not sure where to start, search online for healthy cooking guides, videos and other tutorials. It can be very tempting to fall into a fast-food trap when you are going through a divorce, but that will end with you feeling weighed down and unsatisfied, and it can dent your budget, too.
A New Creative Endeavor
Creativity often waxes and wanes when you are under stress, but it’s still important to find a creative outlet for your energy. Crafts, arts and other creative endeavors will allow you to keep your hands–and thoughts–busy while making something beautiful. Even when you are not feeling very creative, there is some power in the process of creating art, even if you are not thrilled with the end product.
An Organized Home
When you divorce, you are likely dividing one household up into two. This often leaves you with areas in your home that will need attention. Now that it’s you alone, you can go for a home layout that works the best for your lifestyle, even if you have kids or roommates to consider.
Take a close look around your home and rethink its organizational structure. You may find, for example, that some storage baskets, pantry shelves with labels, or a rearrangement of the furniture in your living room make you feel lighter while making it easier to navigate your home. If you have ever had any organizational or layout ideas that you never tried because your spouse wasn’t on board with them, now is the time. It’s important that your home feels like your home and not a mix of you and empty space after the divorce.
Once you get into some new habits, you may also find that the consistency in your routine makes it easier for you to handle the stressful things that can pop up during and after divorce. Make some positive changes in your life now so you are in the best position possible for your post-divorce life.