REPOST: How divorce can damage your health

Both a Hollywood A-lister and a regular Joe or Jane are vulnerable to the physical and emotional stresses that accompany divorce proceedings. This article from The Telegraph Online advises how managing your health can help you can cope with this difficult phase.

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

Motivate yourself: it's important to keep active during divorce proceedings

When Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria appeared on the US chatshow Dr Oz, she claimed she stopped eating during her divorce, causing dramatic weight loss and liver problems.

While viewers may have suspected a little celebrity exaggeration, the fact is that divorce crucially impacts on physical and mental health, both short- and long-term.

Short-term, the emotional stress of divorce is huge. Longoria's weight change is not unusual – Demi Moore's weight reportedly plummeted to six-and-a-half stone during her divorce from Ashton Kutcher. Conversely, comfort eating and drinking can result in weight gain.

Researchers at the University of Chicago also found that divorcees were 23 per cent more likely to experience sleep disturbance and mobility problems.

Short-term, the emotional stress of divorce is huge. Longoria's weight change is not unusual – Demi Moore's weight reportedly plummeted to six-and-a-half stone during her divorce from Ashton Kutcher. Conversely, comfort eating and drinking can result in weight gain.

Researchers at the University of Chicago also found that divorcees were 23 per cent more likely to experience sleep disturbance and mobility problems.

Long-term, the effects linger. Divorce has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer, diabetes, anxiety disorders and depression, while studies at the University of Texas suggest it accelerates the biological processes leading to cardiovascular disease. There is such a thing as a broken heart.

It's vitally important to take care of your physical and mental health throughout the divorce process and after (these guidelines arguably also apply when any relationship problems occur, even if divorce is not on the cards).

· Keep eating regular amounts of healthy food, even if you have lost your appetite.

· Avoid misguided ways of coping with stress such as smoking, recreational drugs and overusing alcohol.

· Relax: listening to music, walking or meditation can help. If you suffer sleep disturbance, ask your GP for advice and, if necessary, take medication on a temporary basis.

· Don't rely on personal judgment of your physical and mental state; ask a friend or relative to tell you if you seem to be putting your health at risk.

· Alert your employer and HR department to your marriage breakdown and ask them to help you avoid added work stress.

· Take regular exercise; if motivation's lacking, join an exercise group or gym where the companionship can energise you.

· Relationship breakdown usually means less physical touch, itself necessary for health: get a regular massage or join a contact dance class.

· If you feel emotional that often means you need to express that emotion – allow yourself to do that.

· Make sure you have people to turn to and confide in.

· Get regular health checkups during the divorce process and for at least a year afterwards.

· Keep aware of any lasting emotional backlash, such as depression, which can occur even after the decree absolute, because it's then you are faced with the reality of divorce.

· Realise that getting extra help is not a sign of weakness but a sensible reaction to a traumatic life challenge.

Divorce is one of the most stressful periods undergone by adults. Take care of yourself and let legal experts like Michael Kelly guide you through the proceedings of a divorce in the event of one. Follow this Twitter account for news and insight about family law.