Divorce really takes it out of you. It’s a life-changing event that’s thrown expectedly your way by the one person who promised to love you for the rest of your life.
But…surprise! (in a really horrible way) …they don’t love you anymore.
You’ve spent years of your life investing in them and a marriage that didn’t work out.
It’s hard not to think of those years as “wasted.” And it’s this perspective, this view of your life that allows the situational depression of divorce to take root deeply and invade not only your life but your soul.
Of course, you know you need to get this weed out of your life, and yet the depression itself makes it difficult to do much about it.
But don’t worry. You can conquer the depression. You and (and will) feel happy again. And you can do that very simply. (Even if simple isn’t always easy.)
Here’s how to move through depression caused by your divorce to a happier, more confident state of being on the other side:
- Take a breather when you need one. Yes, technically, you’re already breathing in and out. But did you know that our breathing changes when we’re feeling depressed? We actually breathe more shallowly and hold our breath. To compensate for the lack of oxygen, we sigh or yawn frequently which both trigger us to remain in a depressed state. Instead of sticking with the same old breathing, change things up and “take a breather” periodically throughout the day. By that, I mean: sit or stand tall and take in as much air as you can. Then, exhale forcefully. I mean I want everyone within 10 feet of you to know you’re exhaling. Take 3-5 of these deep breaths each time you take a breathing break (ideally, you’ll “take a breather” four to eight times each day). And, if you really want to up the ante on using breathing to help you conquer your situational depression post-divorce try this: Put your arms straight out in front of you at shoulder height with the back of your hands together. As you breathe in, raise your arms (with the back of your hands still touching) until they’re directly overhead. Then, as you exhale, make fists and pull your arms down until your upper arms are level with your shoulders (yeah, you’ll look like you’re posing for a body-building contest). The beauty about moving your arms around like this as you breathe in is that you’ll release some of the tension in your shoulders and upper back. (I do this move almost every day. It helps that much!).
- Go for a stroll. Take at least one break every day to walk – ideally outside and without your phone out. Pay attention to all that’s going on around you as you stroll … the little details of people you pass, the shape of buildings, and the flowers in your neighborhood. For most of us, there’s something incredibly healing about being outside, disconnected however briefly from “real life” and technology. Besides the change of scenery, there are other benefits to walking. Putting your body in motion helps with digestion. Walking will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, and improve your mood, blood flow, balance, and coordination. The Mayo Clinic even says that the faster, farther, and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits you’ll receive.