When you’re going through the divorce process, staying active can help you feel better both mentally and physically. Regular exercise is associated with increased mood and better sleep—both things that can make the divorce process a little smoother. But staying active during divorce can be more difficult than it sounds. Due to the fact that many people go through depressive episodes at the same time as the divorce, it’s often difficult to find the motivation to stay active. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in a depressive cycle where they’re depressed because they can’t find the motivation to do everything they want to do—and the depression gets worse and makes it even more difficult to find motivation. For this reason, it’s important to stay active during the divorce process.
Make Time
It’s difficult to stay active if you don’t have an established routine. Find a time to exercise that works for you. A lot of people have a difficult time finding the motivation to go to the gym after work. And, also, a lot of people have a difficult time finding the motivation to go to the gym before work. Finding a time that you know you’ll have the motivation to engage in physical activity—whether that’s going to the gym or not—is going to be an essential part of creating a new habit. It’s best to find a day and time that you can consistently meet and you know you won’t be interrupted.
Find an Activity You Enjoy
It’s going to be a lot easier to stay active if you’re maintaining your activity level by doing exercises you enjoy. Going to the gym is not the only way to stay active. In order to find an activity you like, you may decide to try several different activities. Hiking, walking your dog, riding a bike, and snowshoeing are activities that don’t typically cost much money and they do not require a lot of skill to begin. When looking for an activity you enjoy, it’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily have to put yourself through strenuous activities for the sake of burning calories. Instead, staying active during the divorce process can be more about promoting your mental and physical health. If you find that it’s easier to consistently exercise if you’re doing less strenuous activities, you may choose to do that.
Consider an Activity You Can Do with Friends
If you’re going through the divorce process, now is the time to begin building up your support network. During this time, it’s probably a good idea to spend time around friends, family, loved ones, and other people who have a positive impact on your life. Consider doing an activity that you can do with your friends. Staying active with friends helps create accountability leading to heightened motivation. t can also help with the loneliness and depression that come with the divorce process. Though divorce cannot kill you, the depression that comes with it can lead you to some very dark places. Spending time with people who are positive and forward thinking is a great way to take care of yourself mentally.
Set Goals for Yourself
Setting goals for yourself is a great way to see the benefits of doing whatever physical activity you’ve chosen to do. It’s also a great way to give yourself a sense of accomplishment after you’ve met one of your goals. Although your goal can be weightloss, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve chosen to take up dancing, your goal can be to master a certain dance move or routine. Or, if you’ve taken up running, your goal can be to run a mile in a certain amount of time. Setting goals and tracking your progress can show you that you’re improving, even if those improvements are small. Seeing gradual progress can help prevent you from getting into a rut and losing motivation to stay active.
Work on Your Mental Health
It’s not uncommon for those facing a divorce to want to stay in bed all day. However, a lot of people report feeling worse after spending the day in bed, or on the couch. If you no longer have the motivation to engage in activities that you used to find enjoyable, you may be going through a depressive episode. Working with a therapist or other qualified mental health professional can be a crucial part of staying physically and mentally healthy. While going to therapy, you can work through some of the emotions that have caused you to withdraw from activities that used to be enjoyable.
Looking for Legal Advice?
If you’re considering filing for divorce and you need legal advice, contact CoilLaw today for a free consultation. Although not every divorce needs to have an attorney, almost everyone finds that having customized legal advice and an expert who advocates for their client’s rights to be a benefit. If you’re filing for divorce, contact CoilLaw today.
