It can probably go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: divorce can be a huge life stressor, for you, your children and just about everyone touched by it.
A new study indicates that stressors like divorce can age some brains by 4 years.
In this issue, we’ll talk about the study and share tips for how you can lesson the stressful impact divorce can have in your life.
The Study at a Glance
Carried out by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, the study focused on 1,320 adults. Interestingly, the group was intentionally comprised of 1,232 Caucasians and 82 African Americans to see if the stressors affected the two races differently. The average age of participants was 58.
A series of neuropsychological tests focused on several areas of potential damage, including immediate memory, verbal learning and memory, visual learning, and memory and story recall.
Results indicated that an increased number of stressful events was related to poorer cognitive functionality later in life.
What stressors were they looking at?
In the study, researchers focused on stressful life experiences like divorce, losing a job, the death of a child or having a parent who is a substance abuser.
In the study, African Americans were found to have experienced 60% more stressful events than Caucasians during the course of their lifetimes.
In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Doug Brown, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said, “We know that prolonged stress can have a impact on our health, so it’s no surprise that this study indicates stressful life events may also affect our memory and thinking abilities later in life.”
What can I do to lessen the impact of stress caused by divorce in my life?
An equally interesting article from Health & Fitness stated that while divorce can be hard on everyone, there are things you can do to relieve the pressure – many of the things are practiced by Hollywood celebrities as they try to stay sane during their divorce proceedings.
- Keep things as private as you want.
You’re not obligated to share your news with everyone. While people may speculate about what’s going on, you have the right to keep details to yourself. - Don’t be shy about therapy.
Having a bit of help so that you can see things from a better perspective can do wonders for your mental state. - Start prepping for your future life.
Too much time spent focusing on your former spouse or partner is wasted energy. Start preparing your mindset and your lifestyle for the next chapter!
Are you a man facing divorce? Call The Men’s Legal Center of San Diego
Most divorces are emotional roller coasters. With so much going on, and with your mind going in a million directions, having someone in your corner who knows how to protect you legally can make all the difference in the world.
Get in touch with the Men’s Legal Center here in San Diego by calling 866-636-7534 or sending an email.