For many Washington residents, going through a divorce is the loneliest time of their lives. Although they have friends and family who support them, the loss of connection that has become an integral part of their life is gone. Thankfully, there are some things that individuals who are going through a divorce or a breakup can do to cope with the loneliness.
Stay active
After a divorce, one of the last things most people want to do is think about working out. However, being physically active, moving your body, getting outdoors and interacting with nature can help release endorphins. Endorphins make a person feel good. Engaging in strenuous, high-impact, high-intensity exercise is unnecessary to get these benefits. Something as simple as creating a routine of getting outside and walking in the fresh air can trigger your body to create serotonin and endorphins, positively affecting your feelings.
Focus on others
In the aftermath of a divorce or breakup, it is very easy for a person to spend a lot of time looking inward. It’s easy to focus on your feelings, your loss and your sadness. While a certain amount of grief is natural, focusing on helping others can help combat loneliness.
A good way to do this could be volunteering. Volunteering not only helps you stay busy and have the joy of helping others, but it is also a great way to meet new people. Volunteering allows you to practice being kind, and this can release a hormone called oxytocin. This kindness hormone makes you feel connected to others and can be the key to helping you get purpose back in your life.
Recovery after a divorce or breakup takes time. No magic pill can make all of the loneliness or sense of loss disappear. However, by taking the initiative and staying active, getting outdoors and finding ways to help others, you can better cope with your loneliness.
