Women’s Health & Divorce
May is Women’s Health Care Month. This month-long celebration is dedicated to raising awareness about the unique health needs of women and the importance of prioritizing their health.
Women's Health Care Month addresses a wide range of pertinent health issues, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, heart disease, and much more. Throughout this month, individuals and communities can participate by educating themselves on these health issues, volunteering, donating, and advocating for women's health rights.
In celebration of Women’s Health Car Month, this blog aims to highlight the physical and mental health concerns that women can face during and after their divorce. Dealing with a divorce can be incredibly difficult and emotionally taxing for anyone, but for women it can often bring on an intense range of new health challenges that are both physical and mental.
How Divorce Can Affect Your Physical & Mental Health
Divorce is a legal process that dissolves a marriage and divides assets, property, debt, and custody. It is a difficult and life-changing event that can have a significant impact on an individual’s physical and mental health. In particular, women tend to experience a wide range of physical and emotional changes after a divorce.
Emotional Impact
Divorce can lead to increased stress levels, depression, anxiety, and changes in sleep and eating habits. Women who have gone through a divorce report feeling a wide range of emotions, including anger, sadness, fear, confusion, and resentment. These emotional changes can negatively impact self-esteem and self-worth and potentially lead to increased use of alcohol or drugs to cope with difficult feelings.
Physical Impact
Research suggests that recently divorced women tend to have lower vitality, worse general health, and lower role physical scores which affect their mental health in a negative way. Divorced women may experience physical symptoms of depression and anxiety such as fatigue, muscle tension, and headaches. In addition, some women may experience changes in their:
weight,
hair loss, or
other signs of physical distress.
It is also believed that following a divorce, middle-aged individuals have a higher risk of developing a cardiovascular disease than married individuals, and middle-aged divorced women are a greater risk than middle-aged divorced men. This greater risk to women could be the result of the increased levels of inflammation that women can experience because of divorce-related stress. Following a divorce, women may also suffer from:
insomnia,
chronic health issues (i.e. diabetes, heart disease, etc.), and/or
mobility issues.
Social Impact
Divorce can also affect relationships with friends and family. Women may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness as they adjust to life after a divorce. They may also have to navigate complex relationship dynamics with their ex-partner, extended family, and friends who may take sides during the divorce. As a result, women may have a smaller support network than before and may feel less able to reach out to others for help.
Further Reading: "The Impact of Divorce on Your Mental & Emotional Health"
How to Take Care of Yourself During Divorce
After going through the immense changes presented by divorce, it’s critical to focus on your overall wellness in order to take control of your newfound life direction and embark on a road to becoming healthy again. While divorce is a difficult process, there are several strategies that can help women overcome the challenges that come with the aftermath.
Taking care of oneself can aid in moving through the painful process and have a positive long-term effect on emotional well-being. While it may be challenging to make time for self-care during a divorce, it is crucial to prioritize it.
Here are some specific self-care practices that can be particularly helpful during a divorce:
Exercising. Engage in physical activities such as yoga, walking, or running that gets your body moving and releases endorphins.
Journaling. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can be a cathartic way to process what you're feeling and gain clarity during a confusing time.
Meditating. Practice focusing your attention on your breath and taking some time to calm your mind, quiet your thoughts, and release tension.
Attending therapy. Working with a trained therapist can provide you with a safe and supportive environment where you can work through difficult emotions and develop coping strategies. Group therapy or support groups can also be helpful.
Maintaining a support system. Connecting with friends, family members or a support group can offer a sense of community and help you feel less alone during times of distress.
Affordable & Dependable Divorce Services
Cairns Law Offices is here to help you navigate the legal aspects of your divorce. We can provide simple, uncontested, no-fault divorces with low court costs and quick processing times. Contact us today for more information or to get started on your case now.
Call (888) 863-9115!
