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Divorce can make you feel like you\u2019re going out of your mind. And it\u2019s not surprising. In terms of stress levels, it\u2019s second only to bereavement of a close family member. Divorce is officially a big deal. In Divorce: You are not going crazy!\u00a0<\/em>We look at how what you’re feeling and recognise what you’re feeling isn’t because you’re crazy – I promise!<\/span><\/p>\n I want you to remember that the feelings you\u2019re experiencing are actually very normal. They\u2019re a normal response to an extraordinary situation. They are a way of coping. That doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re always the most healthy way of coping \u2013 there are other ways. <\/span><\/p>\n I also want you to reflect on when these feelings actually started. You see, when you step away from a dysfunctional or abusive marriage you often see that the craziness started long before you left. It\u2019s not you that\u2019s crazy, it\u2019s your situation. (I\u2019ll be talking more about this in next week\u2019s blog).<\/span><\/p>\n So what are the signs of stress and what can you do about them? Read on!<\/span><\/p>\n Stress tends to show itself in three main areas \u2013 you may experience some or all of these: <\/span><\/p>\n Your body is a good indicator of what\u2019s going on with your stress levels, letting you know something\u2019s wrong before the thought occurs in your brain. Do you experience tiredness or low energy, headaches, changes in your appetite, trouble sleeping or loss of libido? These can all be signs of stress. Even if you tell yourself that you\u2019re managing your stress well, your body will let you know if you aren\u2019t. Are you listening?<\/span><\/p>\n Our mood changes when we are under stress. We can find our emotions flying all over the place as we try and cope with everything. You might have low moods, feel irritable, teary, unfocused or be more prone to angry outbursts. Often we can tell stress is affecting us if everyday setbacks (running out of breakfast cereal, children playing up or bad traffic, for example) trigger a reaction more readily than usual. <\/span><\/p>\n We act differently when stressed. You might withdraw from social life, or, on the other hand, throw yourself into every social situation going to distract yourself from your stressful divorce.\u00a0You might engage in self-harming behaviours, which can be as obvious as cutting, but could also be misusing food (over-eating, or not eating enough), or simply neglecting yourself so you don\u2019t look after your body or home.<\/span><\/p>\n These three areas can flow into each other. Low energy can mean you withdraw socially, which in turn can mean you feel isolated and down. Your stress symptoms will be unique to you, and most likely they will have crept up without you noticing. <\/span><\/p>\n Stress is not a bad thing. We need a little stress to get the blood pumping and adrenaline flowing, to help us perform well. We are all used to experiencing that feeling before a job interview, exam, or audition. It\u2019s there to help us, it\u2019s a sign to our body that something important is happening and it\u2019s time to act. <\/span><\/p>\n The problem is when we live with it over a long period \u2013 when stress becomes the norm. When that happens, stress has a negative impact on our physical and emotional health.\u00a0It can cause chest pains, heart palpitations, digestive problems and weaken your immune system. Psychologically it can put you at risk of long-term depression, anxiety and break down. <\/span><\/p>\n So it\u2019s critical we recognise the signs of stress and act. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>The signs of stress<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Physical<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Emotional<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Behavioural<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>The impact of stress\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n