How Divorce Affects Health
Understanding how divorce affects health may be a deterrent to those contemplating marital dissolution. While a bad marriage can be damaging mentally, emotionally and physically, a divorce can wreak havoc with overall well being. Because the lives of husbands and wives are so intimately intertwined, when couples experience conflict it can be just as debilitating as a dreaded disease or death. Ending what should have been a lifelong union can be especially traumatic on the partner who is a victim of adultery. Feelings of betrayal, rejection, and unworthiness can not only lead to emotional trauma but also physical problems. Prolonged mental anguish may cause migraine headaches; an inability to concentrate, insomnia, or even hair loss. Going through a marital breakup, whatever the cause, is an opportunity to find God and allow Him to bear every burden. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 5:6-7).
Individuals who undergo the stress of marital dissolution may also discover how divorce affects health when suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, and loss of appetite, which can contribute to dramatic weight loss. Losing weight means that an ex-spouse is also losing nutrients; and those lost nutrients can not only impact mental health, but also lead to nerve, tissue and muscle damage, especially the heart. Heart muscles need iron-rich blood for proper functioning; but a nutrient-poor starves tissues and muscles. Just as cardiovascular problems may arise from malnutrition, brain function is also adversely impacted by a lack of food. Headaches, short-term memory loss, fatigue, sleeplessness, or anxiety may all result. Over an extended period of time, hair and tooth loss, a lack of muscle tone, and a poor complexion may all become evidence of how divorce affects health. Many females cease to have regular menstrual cycles due the emotional stress of divorce. Medical doctors may prescribe medication to restore regular hormonal cycles and iron supplements to replace vital nutrients. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants and complementary alternative medicine, such as light therapy, aromatherapy, and physical exercise to deter emotional stress.
Many ex-husbands and ex-wives may also gain excessive weight due to emotional overeating; and a weight gain of twenty or thirty pounds can impact other systems in the body. How divorce affects health may become abundantly obvious as added pounds put pressure on the skeletal, digestive and cardiovascular systems, while divorcees mourn the loss of a loved one. Consuming a high-carb, high-starch diet of comfort foods, such as ice cream, cookies, cakes, and pies only adds to the dilemma of how divorce affects health. As weight is gained around the midsection, stress is added on the bones of the hips, knees, and back. An individual carrying weight in excess of twenty to fifty pounds might experience arthritic pain, muscle spasms, lower back pain, and fallen arches.
The sad part about how divorce affects health is ex-spouses may be so emotionally distraught that their physical appearance and well being goes completely unnoticed. Food becomes a panacea for the pain of marital breakup as former mates try to forget the anguish of finding themselves suddenly single. Because the breakup of a marriage can cause the loss of friends and family, newly divorced men and women may find themselves isolated. Formerly outgoing husbands and wives may turn into couch potatoes, preferring to nurse a large pizza in the relative comfort and seclusion of home rather than venture out to meet new friends. Becoming more disheveled in appearance and a lack of exercise only cause a vicious cycle of weight gain, low self-esteem, isolation and fear of trying to find happiness again.
Regardless of how divorce affects health, there is a remedy. To avoid the devastating emotional and physical impact of marital dissolution, ex-spouses must try to move past the hurt and pain of rejection and begin building a new life alone. Spiritual renewal, volunteerism, and social interaction help eradicate feelings of loneliness, depression, and eating disorders. Joining a divorce recovery program at a local church or organization may help speed the process. Professional counselors and clergymen can help those who are hurting find a reason to live again. Getting involved in social work can also ease marital woes. Many times people can endure painful personal situations better by giving themselves to the less fortunate. Volunteering at a local shelter, delivering meals to the sick and shut-in, or visiting nursing homes and senior citizen centers can make an ex-spouse feel more useful and fulfilled. Becoming too busy to sit and think about personal problems can be the best start toward recovery.
Spiritual renewal is a God-sent method to regain good mental, emotional and physical health. Newly divorced men and women should understand that the burden of overcoming marital woes does not have to be carried alone. God has the answer for every problem, including the dissolution of marriage. Ex-spouses should search for a good Bible-teaching church where they can develop a new support system of other believers, people who will pray and intercede as the process of recovery from a marital breakup ensues. Consistent prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship are vital for spiritual renewal. As former mates discover how divorce affects health and adopt habits to circumvent poor well being, they will become strengthened in mind, body and soul. "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:10-11).
Individuals who undergo the stress of marital dissolution may also discover how divorce affects health when suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, and loss of appetite, which can contribute to dramatic weight loss. Losing weight means that an ex-spouse is also losing nutrients; and those lost nutrients can not only impact mental health, but also lead to nerve, tissue and muscle damage, especially the heart. Heart muscles need iron-rich blood for proper functioning; but a nutrient-poor starves tissues and muscles. Just as cardiovascular problems may arise from malnutrition, brain function is also adversely impacted by a lack of food. Headaches, short-term memory loss, fatigue, sleeplessness, or anxiety may all result. Over an extended period of time, hair and tooth loss, a lack of muscle tone, and a poor complexion may all become evidence of how divorce affects health. Many females cease to have regular menstrual cycles due the emotional stress of divorce. Medical doctors may prescribe medication to restore regular hormonal cycles and iron supplements to replace vital nutrients. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants and complementary alternative medicine, such as light therapy, aromatherapy, and physical exercise to deter emotional stress.
Many ex-husbands and ex-wives may also gain excessive weight due to emotional overeating; and a weight gain of twenty or thirty pounds can impact other systems in the body. How divorce affects health may become abundantly obvious as added pounds put pressure on the skeletal, digestive and cardiovascular systems, while divorcees mourn the loss of a loved one. Consuming a high-carb, high-starch diet of comfort foods, such as ice cream, cookies, cakes, and pies only adds to the dilemma of how divorce affects health. As weight is gained around the midsection, stress is added on the bones of the hips, knees, and back. An individual carrying weight in excess of twenty to fifty pounds might experience arthritic pain, muscle spasms, lower back pain, and fallen arches.
The sad part about how divorce affects health is ex-spouses may be so emotionally distraught that their physical appearance and well being goes completely unnoticed. Food becomes a panacea for the pain of marital breakup as former mates try to forget the anguish of finding themselves suddenly single. Because the breakup of a marriage can cause the loss of friends and family, newly divorced men and women may find themselves isolated. Formerly outgoing husbands and wives may turn into couch potatoes, preferring to nurse a large pizza in the relative comfort and seclusion of home rather than venture out to meet new friends. Becoming more disheveled in appearance and a lack of exercise only cause a vicious cycle of weight gain, low self-esteem, isolation and fear of trying to find happiness again.
Regardless of how divorce affects health, there is a remedy. To avoid the devastating emotional and physical impact of marital dissolution, ex-spouses must try to move past the hurt and pain of rejection and begin building a new life alone. Spiritual renewal, volunteerism, and social interaction help eradicate feelings of loneliness, depression, and eating disorders. Joining a divorce recovery program at a local church or organization may help speed the process. Professional counselors and clergymen can help those who are hurting find a reason to live again. Getting involved in social work can also ease marital woes. Many times people can endure painful personal situations better by giving themselves to the less fortunate. Volunteering at a local shelter, delivering meals to the sick and shut-in, or visiting nursing homes and senior citizen centers can make an ex-spouse feel more useful and fulfilled. Becoming too busy to sit and think about personal problems can be the best start toward recovery.
Spiritual renewal is a God-sent method to regain good mental, emotional and physical health. Newly divorced men and women should understand that the burden of overcoming marital woes does not have to be carried alone. God has the answer for every problem, including the dissolution of marriage. Ex-spouses should search for a good Bible-teaching church where they can develop a new support system of other believers, people who will pray and intercede as the process of recovery from a marital breakup ensues. Consistent prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship are vital for spiritual renewal. As former mates discover how divorce affects health and adopt habits to circumvent poor well being, they will become strengthened in mind, body and soul. "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:10-11).
How Divorce Affects Health
![]()
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
11:29 AM
Rating:
