The Divorce Diet and How to Overcome It

Listen to this article

Losing your spouse is very painful, without any doubt. One of the emotional side effects people may suffer from after ending a marriage is divorce diet. A divorce diet is referred to the disturbed eating habits after a divorce. This happens due to stress and anxiety. The stress, which is also known as the appetite killer is the main reason for losing weight.

According to psychologists, it is not a healthy sign. Besides stress, anxiety and other emotional factors including fear can also play their part. Eating less, sleeping less, and crying more are the signs that your body is not accepting what you’ve just gone through.

Experts say that a divorce is usually the second stressful life event for a person. The loss of the spouse due to separation can result in you following an imbalanced eating pattern. Both men and women can lose weight after getting divorced. The weight loss entirely depends on the relationship between the two and the impact ending such a relationship has on them.

Divorce diet and its risks

Mostly, women shed more weight after getting divorced than men. According to physicians, this weight loss can also lead to malnutrition and even death. Shedding weight should not be complimented especially when someone is underweight.

Underweight people may also suffer from many diseases that can prove to be fatal down the road. An imbalanced diet pattern for an extended period can also lead to various health risks; eating disorders are one of them. Take note that an imbalanced diet means not taking enough nutrients for your body’s proper functioning.

How does divorce diet work?

In simple terms, a divorce diet can basically be referred to as the loss of interest in eating. You might even stop getting a proper amount of sleep, which further destroys your body which is already not getting enough food.

Many of us are known for overeating during stress. However, studies show that divorce usually leads to people eating less due to stress.

How to overcome divorce diet

Stress can be controlled if appropriately managed. Similarly, couples can also overcome the divorce diet problem by controlling their emotions. A person who is suffering from divorce diet should control their stress levels. They must keep in mind that anxiety hormones can be calmed down by improving their eating habits. Furthermore, the person should focus more on their upcoming life rather than being sad and crying over what has already passed.

One can overcome the anxiety after getting divorced by focusing on their children if there are any. Moreover, to overcome such a diet, remember that this energy-draining time of one’s life should be handled with patience. You should try moving into a new home or even switch countries to make new memories and start a new life.

A couple who is getting ready for divorce should prepare their mind. It is important not to make your separation painful, especially for yourself. Knowing that your emotions will get out of hand can help you plan accordingly. You can try getting a gym membership or even pay for dance lessons to aid in managing stress and controlling your diet.

Things to remember after getting divorced

Here are a few things you should know about divorce diet and how you can keep it away from your life.

It’s not a healthy weight loss

Losing weight after getting divorced is not a healthy weight loss. Such a weight loss is an indication of your body not getting the nutrients it needs to keep you healthy. If you don’t feel like eating, which is understandable considering what you went through, at least try and eat energy bars or drinks instead of starving yourself.

Proper eating, regular exercise

If you are suffering from any painful event of your life, then exercise can be a good solution. When you remain active, dopamine is released into your body. This is a hormone that helps you feel happy. So, the more active you remain the more dopamine your body will be able to produce. You’ll be able to manage your stress a lot better instead of just refusing to eat what you should.

Focus on your needs

You should try and not take yourself for granted. You’re the one who can take the best care of yourself. Don’t let your ex-spouse get the better of you after a divorce. Don’t let the ordeal destroy you from the inside out. Understand that such a decision was important so you could live a happy life. Also, don’t hesitate to share what you feel with loved ones. Spending time with friends and family can help keep your stress away and the eating habits in check.

Don’t blame yourself

Many people, after a divorce, begin to replay past events and start imagining what they could’ve done differently to save a marriage. Don’t play the ‘what if’ game, because that will usually lead to you blaming yourself. Feeling guilty tends to cause stress and diet imbalances. Go for group counseling to help you get back on the right track to a happier life and beat divorce diet.