The coronavirus health crisis continues to have economic and social ramifications, impacting how people work, go to school and interact with others. Another aspect of people’s lives that the virus impacts is romance—marriage, specifically. Divorce rates in the United States surged following the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. and subsequent stay-at-home orders that resulted in couples remaining at home together for months.
The New York Post reveals that, from March to June, the number of people seeking divorces increased 34 percent compared to 2019. The virus may cause various issues for married couples, such as illness, stress, financial strain, reduced work or a complete layoff, homeschooling for children and more. According to the data, thirty-one percent of divorcing couples acknowledged that lockdowns caused by COVID-19 brought irreparable problems to their marriages.
No matter the reason for a split, the deterioration and end of a marriage can be one of the most stressful and challenging times for a couple. Listed below are three tips for smoothly ending your marriage and coping with the process and changes that follow amid the coronavirus.
1. Make practical financial and living arrangements.
Considering how the pandemic has disrupted everyday routines and resulted in job and income loss, it’s in your best interest to negotiate arrangements that allow you to sustain your lifestyle and take care of yourself, especially during uncertain times.
Your expenses may change during the pandemic, so creating a budget detailing how much money can cover your essential living expenses can be crucial as you move forwards. Knowing how much income you’ll need can help settle any spousal support and child support amounts relevant to your agreement.
Consider the changes in your living arrangement you may experience. It’s common for one or both spouses to leave the home they once shared in divorce cases. Utilizing a self-storage unit to house your belongings when you begin the moving process can be useful during a divorce. Storage units are convenient and private. They also allow you to quickly access your belongings when you need them. Searching the web for local public storage facilities from a leading provider of storage units and a list of public storage prices and rental fees for a wide variety of units is essential to moving out and moving on. Many of these self-storage units will give you a good deal on the first month’s rent, so it doesn’t even have to be expensive to rent a storage unit and begin to move on.
2. Try counseling for closure and comfort.
Divorces can be frustrating and exhausting, which is why it’s crucial to prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional health of oneself and any children. Consider turning to a professional counselor to work through the various thoughts and emotions you may feel during the divorce process.
The spouse who initiates the separation or divorce may feel just as sad, confused, afraid and depressed as the person they’re separating from. A professional counselor or therapist can help each party in a divorce sort out and process their feelings and emotions. Counselors can help couples with children or those who want to be close friends repair their relationship and maintain amicability. Therapy sessions are beneficial both for divorcing couples and for married couples. Professional guidance and expertise can help married couples improve their intimacy and communication, teaching them to have more effective relationship conversations and prevent crises that could lead to divorce.
3. Find a way to relax.
It’s crucial to remember that you can’t control every conflict or disagreement you have with your ex-spouse. Worrying about problems that you can’t control or solve can cause unnecessary frustration, so it’s best to learn when you should let go. Eliminating stress through holistic methods is one way to bounce back and get over a break-up.
Using CBD products (also known as cannabidiol) is an effective and popular way to relax, considering the calming, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving qualities of CBD. While this ingredient, an element of cannabis plants, derives from marijuana or hemp, it has only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical in the cannabis flower, so the effects of CBD are limited to health benefits. In other words, CBD can’t get you high. CBD supplements from a reputable producer can be the tonic you need to feel good during a personal low. These dietary supplements come in many forms—tinctures, edibles, oils and even topical ointments— so you’ll be sure to find the CBD product that’s right for you during this complicated time.
