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The effects of divorce on the body and mind

On Behalf of | Mar 15, 2018 | Divorce

Most Kentucky residents going through divorce are well aware that stress and separation often go hand in hand. Even when divorce is inevitable, the effects can ebb and flow for months, and even years, after a separation. There is no single answer to coping after divorce, but there some approaches that can help families pick up the pieces. 

Psych Central recognizes the myriad of challenges that divorce can bring to the table, stating that even the decision itself can present a world of stress. By talking with the partner involved, a friend and, if necessary, a therapist, those going through this tough time can better weigh the options. Sometimes, a separation is the better choice; in other situations, divorce may be the only answer. If divorce is well under way, Psych Central suggests coping options such as joining a support group, setting aside time for self-care and to avoid negative self-talk and ruminating on guilt. Even deep cleaning can distract an unsettled mind, as Psych Central shares a number of other coping strategies divorcees can use to move on. 

At the end of the day, divorce can take a serious toll on one’s mental and physical health. Health magazine shares that sadness, worry, anxiety and other negative emotions after a divorce can ultimately affect the body’s organs over time. Drawing from a 2015 study, Health shows that women who had experienced divorce were 24 percent more prone to heart attacks; those who had experienced more than once marital breakup were 77 percent more likely to suffer an attack. Furthermore, the pyschological toll divorce can take on the body can have lasting impacts, and those with preexisting mental health issues could experience relapse during these stressful times. Because everyone copes differently after a traumatic event such as divorce, the right solutions may depend on the individual situation.