5 Tips from Mental Health Experts for Divorcing During the Holidays

 Posted on November 23, 2021 in Illinois Divorce

For many Americans, winter is synonymous with the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or take part in other cultural celebrations, divorcing during this special time of year is especially challenging. Consider the following tips for coping with divorce from mental health professionals.

Make Concrete Plans Regarding Your Shared Children

Separating from your spouse during the holidays is hard enough. Adding children into the situation makes it even harder. If you share children with your soon-to-be-ex, make solid plans for the holiday season. Include detailed information about which parent will have custody of the children and how the children will be transported between houses. Put these plans in writing.

Prioritize Peace of Mind Over Gifts

For many, buying gifts for others is even more enjoyable than receiving gifts. If you are someone who takes pride in finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones, you may feel pressure to maintain this high standard this holiday season. However, it is important to priories your own health and wellbeing. Do not go overboard buying gifts when you should be taking care of your own needs.

Establish New Traditions

Most families have special traditions during the holidays. As a newly separated or divorced person, you may be missing out on many of these traditions. Instead of focusing on the past, try to focus on the present and the future. Establishing new traditions that are meaningful and enjoyable to you can help you put the past behind you.

Use Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Divorce can be terribly painful. Understandably, many divorced people seek out ways to reduce this pain. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse is not uncommon during divorce – especially divorce during the holidays. Establishing healthy coping strategies can help you avoid this trap. Exercise, spending time with loved ones, and participating in hobbies have all been proven to help reduce negative emotions.

Consider Volunteering

Sometimes, the best way to get through a challenging time in life is to help others that are less fortunate. Volunteering has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve both mental and physical health. During the holiday season, there are an even greater number of ways to give back to your community. Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends after a separation.

Contact a St. Charles Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is not easy. A strong divorce lawyer can help. For trustworthy legal support and skilled representation during your divorce, contact the Kane County divorce attorneys at Weiler & Associates, Inc. Call 630-331-9110 for a confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://msp.edu/holidays-divorce-dos-donts/

https://www.jcfs.org/blog/getting-through-holidays-during-divorce-or-separation

https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/what-people-get-wrong-about-divorce

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428