Research shows that sleep problems after divorce can lead to high blood pressure

While it will come as no surprise to most people that the end of a marriage is likely to lead to sleep problems, new research from the University of Arkansas suggests that if those problems persist they could lead to serious health issues, according to the University Herald. The study found that people who developed long-term sleep issues after a divorce were more likely to suffer from depression and high blood pressure. The findings are one more reason why divorcing couples should do all they can to make the divorce process as stress-free as possible.

Long-term sleep problems

The study looked at a number of people who were recently divorced and analyzed their blood pressure in relation to their sleep habits. While in early laboratory tests the subjects did not show any significant health problems, researchers painted a very different picture for those who were unable to combat their sleep issues in the long term.

According to Headlines and Global News, people who suffered sleep problems for 10 or more weeks after a divorce saw an increase in their blood pressure. The study’s authors say such long-term problems could be indicative of depression and of more serious problems with coping with the fallout of a divorce. A higher blood pressure could be particularly serious for people who already suffered from high blood pressure before a divorce and could eventually lead to heart disease.

Reducing stress during divorce

While the study did not look at the issue of self-representation in particular, family courts have seen a significant rise in recent years in the number of self-represented litigants during divorces. The rise is significant when considering stress levels since many self-represented litigants are unprepared to deal with the complexities of divorce law.

In many cases, representing oneself in court can lead to a more drawn out divorce and unfavorable rulings regarding such important issues as division of assets and child support payments. Such unforeseen problems could lead to additional stress for divorcing spouses and thus to a higher likelihood of stress-related health problems.

Legal advice during a divorce

The above story highlights just how important it is to hire expert legal advice during a divorce. An experienced family law attorney will know the intricacies of divorce law and can help make the divorce process as stress-free as is reasonably possible.

While any divorce is bound to bring with it its own set of complications, in order to ensure a relatively smooth process divorcing spouses should consult with a qualified divorce attorney during all stages of their divorce.

Before agreeing on one type of divorce method, it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced Arkansas family law attorney. An attorney should be able to review your case and help you decide on the best way to proceed.

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