In our last post, we began a discussion about the need to tend to your mental, physical, and financial health during and after your divorce. To be sure, you need to work with a highly experienced family law attorney for the legal aspects of your case. But while your attorney cares about your wellbeing overall, they are not fully equipped to give you all of the support you need during this difficult time.
In today’s post, we’ll be talking about tending to your physical and financial health, both for their own sake and as a potential way to improve the divorce process and its outcome.
Keeping your body strong and resilient
Divorce comes with a lot of stress, grief, and other difficult emotions. These feelings take a toll on your body, causing fatigue, upset stomach, sleeplessness and poor appetite. Over time, you may be more susceptible to illnesses like cold and flu because your physical resilience is worn down..
To prevent or mitigate these problems, it is wise to start or stay in an exercise routine. If you have others in your life who can exercise with you and keep you motivated, be sure to utilize those resources. If you need support and accountability but don’t have an exercise community, consider hiring a personal trainer.
Why exercise matters: Your physical health has an impact on all other parts of your life. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, improve sleep and regulate appetite. It is important for its own sake, but it can also improve your decision-making abilities and ability to concentrate during the divorce process.
Financial health during and after divorce
After concerns about your children, money is probably your biggest worry in divorce, and rightly so. Division of property, assets and debts will impact your life now and for years to come. Your attorney is responsible for ensuring that you receive a fair divorce settlement and that you have the financial resources you need going forward. But you can further help yourself by taking charge of your financial health and habits.
Going from two incomes down to one will almost certainly require some adjustment. If your spouse primarily handled the family finances, you will likely need to learn or relearn the fundamentals of budgeting, paying bills, managing household expenses and investing. Working with a Certified Divorce Financial Planner or Certified Divorce Financial Advisor will help you think long-term and prevent stressful money mistakes. For general budgeting and planning help, you can hire a professional who works with individuals and families outside of a divorce context, such as a Daily Money Manager.
Why it matters: Managing your finances can be difficult even under ideal circumstances. When going through a major change like divorce, seeking help from a knowledgeable and objective professional is a great investment in your financial stability.
As you prepare for your divorce, your first priority should be to find the right family law attorney for your unique situation. After you have found one, consider seeking additional support to ensure that your mental, physical, and financial health stay intact.