COVID-19 and maintaining your mental health and wellbeing during divorce or separation

If you considering divorce or separation or even in deep into the process itself it can have challenging effects on your emotional health and wellbeing. As I write this piece you’ll have the added pressure of the COVID-19 and all the uncertainty surround it.

We understand that it will be a stressful and worrying time for you so we're here to help. Working in accordance with current Government guidelines, our Lawyers, Financial Advisors and Family Consultants remain available to support you via telephone and online communication platforms until face-to-face meetings are deemed appropriate.

You can contact us if you are concerned about your current situation, but in the meantime, here are some tips to boost your sense of wellbeing:

Seek divorce advice and information: For many you will be unsure of the process and unaware of what's going to happen. Spend some time getting as much information about the process as you can, as it will help you to feel more in control of the situation. A good place to start is the ‘your options’ section of this website.

Connect with the people around you: Your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships and reconnect with those you may have lost touch with. If the trauma of recent events has made you feel isolated, try to reconnect with the individuals who make you feel better about yourself.

Be active: You don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

Keep learning: Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

Be kind to yourself: Take some time to do something that's purely for you. Think about what you enjoy such as a long walk, a soak in the bath, spending time on a hobby or other interest, reading a good book or watching your favourite film. Also try to devote some time to thinking positively about yourself and remember to eat as healthily as possible. Get plenty of rest and sleep whenever you can.

Give to others: Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Acts like volunteering can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks too.

Seek out the positives: This might be hard, even futile at first but if you choose to respond to your situation positively rather than negatively, it may help you to move on with your life sooner rather than later.

Ask for help: Divorce and separation can cause significant fear, anxiety and even depression for those experiencing it. For some it is short lived but for many it can last a lot longer and take over their lives. It’s important in these instances to reach out for help, whether that be one of our Family Consultants, a close friend or family member, they can help you rationalise your fears and to prioritise, which will affect you most and which you can most easily control.

Be mindful: Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. This is often referred to as "mindfulness" and can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

If you’re feeling anxious or concerned about your divorce or separation contact one of our Family Consultantsto find out how they can help.