Does anyone have some excellent advice for getting through PlanA healthy? It seems overwhelming at times and the biggest issue other than curing the marrital relation is personal mental and physical health. Are there some special prayers, diversional activities, thoughts, exercises that folks are using? The void at this time seems too big and overwhelming. How do we get through it feeling whole?

I agree that the void is awful. My method of getting through at least the first year was to walk every day whilst meditating on things that were promises, or would improve me as a person....scripture. I figure I had some improving to do, and I determined to put all I learnt into practice. I ended up still in massive pain, but liking who I was much more.
Other than that, surround yourself with people who support you, and expect that the dreadful loneliness will come and go. Enjoy the ups.
Robyn

I appreciated your response. I also believe that reading scripture is incredibly healing. All through my life for all kinds of difficulties that one has been key. And going outside, walking, practicing calming activities. I wonder what yoga is like? Or Tai Chi?

My husband and I when we started to drift apart, took to taking walks together. And although it did not cure our problem it was a more effective way to talk with him. I knew that alot was happening. And just had to look at one tiny part at a time. Some times I just exploded with anger. Major LB. I wanted to fix it like one would fix a machine. Talking always worked better when no alcohol and no anger and maintaining energy but with calm and with love being the goal. I wanted it back,BAD.

One thing that I have realized through the times of tribulation is that if you slow down, pray, talk to real friends, and just do not allow the mind to race.... which makes one crazy and you only get 1/2 baked decisions that way...STOP and listen and feel what you are feeling. God gave us that sensation of emotion to use as a tool, or a compass to tell us something.

Happiness, pain, they are part of your system to give us a clue as to where we are at with some issue. Ie. notice how when you get a burn, you pull your hand away before you really had a chance to think about it. It is an excellent warning system to keep you from getting the really bad burn. If you completely ignored the pain and left your hand on the burning source, it would be a lot harder to heal. Now that is a physiological response, but I think that the emotional one is even more amazing. If we choose to ignore the emotional feeling of pain and our response is to submerge the sorrow in alcohol we make ourself unable to respond adequatly. Thus, allowing painful cause in our life to continue without restraint or quidelines.

MB is such a good place to share ideas. Anyone have more ideas?

Three key things you can do to help you emotionally & physically is to eat well, sleep well and exercise.

Believe it or not, these will help you IMMENSELY in coping with the stress & crap.