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Divorce can be an emotionally and mentally taxing experience. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and even a little lost. While dealing with the complex emotions of divorce is important to healing and moving forward, always being alone with these thoughts won’t do any good. That’s why finding ways to distract yourself without relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms is essential.

Here are eight healthy and beneficial distractions you can turn to during your divorce.

Spend Time With People Who Lift You Up:

One of the best distraction techniques during a divorce is spending time with people who support and uplift you. Choose friends and family members who make you feel good about yourself and your future instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your separation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your network and plan outings, such as brunch, hiking, or yoga classes.

Find a Creative Outlet:

Engaging in a creative outlet, like painting, writing, or playing music, can help reduce stress and improve mood during divorce. Even if you’re not a professional artist, the act of creating something can be incredibly therapeutic and help you process your thoughts and emotions while finding new joy in your life.

Get Active:

Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. If you’re hesitant about exercising, it’s still worth incorporating some movement into your routine. Whether going for a walk, a bike ride, or joining a gym, being active will help you better manage stress and anxiety.

Take On Extra Tasks At Work:

If you’re going through a divorce and you’re up for it, taking on extra tasks and responsibilities at your job can help give you a sense of purpose and make the days go by faster. Plus, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the long run by taking on more work experience and expanding your skills.

Listen to Mood-Boosting Music:

Music has the power to influence our moods and emotions. Listening to feel-good music can be a helpful distraction during your divorce. Create a playlist of songs that make you happy or inspire you, and listen to it during your commute, break time, or while at home.

Meditate:

Don’t be scared of meditating – or, at least, trying to. Meditation can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety. It requires minimal effort and can be done virtually anywhere, at any time. Even a few minutes of meditation daily can help lower stress levels and improve overall well-being.

Get Lost in a Book:

For the moments when real life feels all too difficult, reading is a great way to distract yourself from the stress of a divorce. A good book can help you escape reality and immerse yourself in a different world for a while. Find a book that suits your interests, be it romance, thriller, or memoir – the harder it is to put the book down, the better.

Make a Fun List of Goals and Check Them Off:

Finally, try creating a list of fun and attainable goals you’d like to achieve during your divorce, such as taking a cooking class, joining a language exchange group, trying new restaurants that open up in town, or volunteering for a local charity. Checking off these goals as you reach them can give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you focused on the positive things in your life. Plus, whenever you find yourself with downtime or away from your children, you’ll always have something you can turn to for a fun idea.

Wrapping Up

Divorce is undoubtedly challenging, but finding ways to stay distracted and keep your spirits up is important. Incorporating a few of these ideas into your routine can help reduce stress levels and improve your emotional wellbeing. Remember, these distractions are not meant to bury or avoid processing your feelings. Instead, they are about finding a healthy balance that allows you to weather the storm while keeping your mind and body healthy.

Looking for more ideas to help you along your journey? Find more divorce tips and guidance in our blog.