Taking Care of Yourself During Separation and Divorce

by | dealing with stress

Once you start talking about divorce with your spouse, your stress level is probably pretty high. Discussing what will be in your separation agreement will probably add to your emotional turmoil. Going to a mediation conference or a court appearance can also be anxiety-provoking. If you can afford to spend some money on yourself to get help from other people, I recommend you consider some of these options, which have helped myself, my clients, and my friends:

  • get a massage to ease tight muscles caused by stress. If you don’t have extended health coverage, consider a $25 massage from a massage school student at CDI College in Surrey (near Hwy 10 and 152nd).
  • get a Reiki energy treatment to relax and let go of stuck energy. Some people say they feel more like themselves afterwards. Marijuana users have said it is like feeling high without side effects. If you can’t afford Reiki, go to a free Pranic healing clinic or search for “free energy healing” online. There are many different types of energy healing. If it helps you relax it is worth your time.
  • try BodyTalk and let the practitioner ask your body’s muscles what needs to be done so that you can heal.
  • buy a few sessions from an Emotion Code practitioner to let go of anger, guilt, sadness or any other emotion that you are ready to release.
  • go to a local pool and soak in the hottub.
  • buy Epsom salts and soak your body or just your feet in an epsom salt bath.
  • if you have been under stress for a long time, talk to a naturopath or holistic nutritionist about how to support your adrenal glands and nervous system with food and supplements.
  • try yoga classes at a yoga studio or rec centre.
  • add meditation to your routine through either a class, an app on your phone, or following along with YouTube videos. If you are not an experienced meditator, it is easier to get your brain into the theta state if you are in a group.
  • talk to a counsellor, family member and/or friend about what you are going through.
  • go to the Vancouver Wellness Show in February, Abbotsford Health and Wellness Show in March, or Vancouver Health Show in October to sample different treatments and get ideas for things that will help you.