Stress Experienced During Divorce

Coping Strategies for Stress

Before, during, and after divorce, the face of stress may change any number of times. Each person is unique and no solution for coping with stress works for everyone. Likewise, methods you used when your relationship was first unraveling may not work as well for you now, and what works for you now may not be the answer when presented with challenges in the future. The important thing is to have many tools for coping with stress. In itself, the knowledge that we can cope reduces stress and helps keep us in balance.

Here are four sets of tools that help prevent and reduce stress.

Physical strategies

Getting physical exercise is the single most effective method for dealing with stress. Practice good nutrition to give your body the fuel it needs to function; avoid food and drugs that impair functioning. Use relaxation methods to reduce the physiological arousal, the "fight-or-flight" response.

Self-talk and emotional strategies

"Talking it out" means expressing how you feel about what is happening in your life with someone who cares and will listen. It is a great stress reducer. "Positive self-talk" means consciously talking to yourself with approval and catching yourself when you are inwardly scolding. What you tell yourself about yourself and how you are handling your situation are important factors in raising or lowering your stress level. "Refrarning events" means choosing to define events in ways that reduce your stress; it means looking for, and focusing on, the silver lining instead of the dark cloud in a given situation.

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