UK set to see spike in divorce rates and mental health issues. 10 tips to look after your emotional wellbeing during this stressful time.
It’s predicted that there will be an increase in divorce rates as the UK eases out of lockdown. It’s already been seen in China. With that will come an increase in the number of people suffering from mental health issues as they struggle with the emotional impact of their breakup.
In 2018 there were 90,871 divorces in England and Wales*. Looking after your mental health and emotional well-being is essential during this time and should be a priority. However, when you’re in the midst of it all, it’s easily overlooked.
Here are 10 tips to help you maintain your mental health whilst going through a divorce or breakup.
Allow yourself to grieve –You’re naturally grieving the loss of your relationship. Experiencing all the associated emotions is part of the healing process and completely normal. You need to go through this to be able to let go of the past and move on.
Be kind to Yourself – Give yourself a break, acknowledge what you’re going through and make a conscious decision to look after yourself during this stressful time.
Seek support from close friends or family – It’s easy to become isolated as often the last thing you feel like doing is socialising. But it’s crucial to have a support team of close friends and family in place that can be there for you whenever you need them.
Exercise and nutrition –Getting the heart rate up through exercise releases all the endorphins which help to make you feel better. Eat a healthy diet and nourish your body so it can cope better with the stress and support your immune system during this pandemic.
Get enough sleep – Have a bedtime routine. Go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Stop using all your electronic devices at least an hour before you go to bed so you can wind down.
Show kindness – Kindness is the antidote to stress. It releases the hormone oxytocin, also known as the “kindness hormone” which helps you feel warm and connected. Be kind to yourself and others.
Gratitude – Gratitude directly increases your happiness levels and is a great way to improve your mood. It calms the mind and reduces all the negative emotions you may be feeling.
New activities – Think about what you can do now that wasn’t possible when you were in your relationship. What do you love doing but haven’t had the chance to do for a while?
Focus on your future – You need to create a future for yourself that you are excited to wake up to. This gives you something else to focus on other than the past.
Get help – If you haven’t got support elsewhere, find somewhere you can talk openly about how you’re feeling. Try a counsellor, support group or a divorce coach who can all help.
Sarah Woodward, Breakup and divorce coach commented. “I know from my own experience how traumatic it is to go through a divorce. You go through a roller coaster of emotions as you grieve the loss of your relationship and your mental health can really suffer. It’s so important to do everything you can to support your emotional well-being. The healing takes time, but you will come out the other side and find happiness again”
* From the National Office of Statistics. Latest figures as at 28th May 2020.
For more information, images or interviews, please contact:
Sarah Woodward at +(0) 7725 532814 / sarah@sarah-woodward.com