Dealing with Post-Divorce Grief

We often recommend that people who have just gone through a divorce attend sessions with a therapist to work through some of their post-divorce grief. Below are a few examples of some of the strategies and advice a therapist will offer as you seek to regain your strength and move on with your life.

• Don’t judge yourself: Everyone experiences grief and loss differently, and you should not be overly harsh on yourself for however you respond to the situation. It can be especially easy to compare the way you are responding to the divorce with how your spouse seems to be responding. Everyone’s experience is unique, and you do not have to be hard on yourself for feeling the way you do.
• Seek help when you need it: It can be very difficult for a person who is grieving to reach out and ask for help, but do not feel ashamed to do so. In addition, you’re likely to have people reach out to you to offer their help. Never feel like it’s a sign of weakness to accept it — that help can make a big difference when you are feeling overwhelmed.
• Seek out healthy distractions: Right after a divorce is a great time to take on a new hobby, spend some time exploring old interests or get physically active by joining a gym or a community sports league. You need to give yourself emotional, mental and physical breaks, so you might as well seek healthy, positive distractions.
• Make self-care a priority: Take some time out of your week to do something special just for yourself. It might be treating yourself to a dinner, spending some time with friends or just relaxing with a nice bubble bath. Whatever it is that gets you to relax, do it.

To get the advice you need before, during and after a divorce, work with a trusted Long Island divorce attorney at Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.