After a breakup, you're likely to be in a lot of emotional
and even physical pain. Everyone deals with a broken heart in their own unique
way, but the long-term pain of a love lost is universal. On the plus side,
learning how to heal from a broken heart teaches you how to love yourself more
deeply than ever before.
What Is a Broken Heart?
Because the heart is associated with love, people describe
their feelings after the end of a relationship as a "broken heart."
On a physical level, you may experience pangs of pain, anxiety, sadness, and
regret in your chest.
This sensation may occur in other stressful situations, such
as the death of a friend or family member. In other words, heartbreak occurs
when you lose someone close to you. While it takes time to heal a broken heart,
it is possible if given enough time.
Symptoms of a Broken Heart
Everyone's experience of heartbreak is unique, but there are
some common feelings you may have in times of loss. Here are a few symptoms to
think about:
Depression: When someone breaks your heart or you suffer a
great loss, you may experience unrelenting sadness and even despair. You should
expect to cry a lot in the days, weeks, and even months following the death of
your partner. For a while, you may find it difficult to get out of bed or do
the things you once enjoyed. To deal with these grief feelings, consult with a
licensed therapist.
Irritability: Feelings of betrayal can cause you to lash out
at others. As you deal with your internal pain, your sadness may turn to anger
at times. This can spread and have an impact on those around you. These
outbursts may also make you feel guilty, exacerbating the pain of your broken
heart.
Anxiety and stress are also common responses to heartbreak.
You may become wary of ever finding love again if you ruminate on what you
could've done to save your previous relationship. It's possible that your
emotional pain and stress will manifest as physical sensations.
Tips for Moving On After Heartbreak
All wounds heal with time, but you can do a lot to speed up
the heartbreak healing process. Keep the following suggestions in mind as you
work to mend your broken heart:
Refrain from ruminating. While you should feel your pain
rather than stuff it down, try to let these emotions pass through you rather
than dwell on them. Heartbreak exists in the gap between what was and what will
be, so you must learn to let go in the interim. Focusing on the past will
stymie your healing process.
Allow yourself some time. After a breakup, some people feel
compelled to find a new partner as soon as possible, but this is frequently
unwise. While you will almost certainly have successful and loving future
relationships, taking a break from dating right after you and your ex break up
can be a healthy choice. You run the risk of launching into something new too
quickly after that, breaking someone else's heart along the way.
Choose "no contact." You can't look back in order
to move forward. Even if it's difficult, try not to contact your ex after the
breakup. Every time you start talking again, you rip the wound open again and
have to start the healing process all over again. While it may be difficult at
first, focusing on your own needs and giving yourself space will allow both of
you to reach your full potential.
Continue to move. Consider starting some form of exercise to
give yourself something to focus on after a breakup. Sedentism will only
exacerbate your feelings of depression and stress. When you prioritize your
physical wellness, you often experience a greater sense of emotional peace and
stability.
Self-care is essential. To mend a broken heart, you must
first be kind to yourself. Stream motivational podcasts. Learn how to improve
your mental health and wellness. Learn how to let go and find joy in
impermanence by practicing mindfulness meditation. To heal as quickly as possible,
eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep every night.
Remember your worth. Breakups, as painful as they can be,
force you to relearn the value of self-love. When you're in a romantic
relationship, you may find yourself defining yourself almost entirely in terms
of your relationship with the other person. This negative attitude can lead to
breakups in the first place. Remind yourself of your worth as a person, enjoy
your newfound independence, and learn to love yourself.
Take new risks. When your heart is broken, you'll have a lot
more free time on your hands. Take advantage of this time to try new things,
discover new hobbies, meet new people, and make new friends. Gather a
collection of experiences to help you become the person you've always wanted to
be. Next time you use a dating app, know that you've learned how to enjoy your
single life to the fullest.
Turn to your support network. In the aftermath of a breakup,
reach out to your support group of best friends, family members, and loved
ones. They can offer you their shoulders to cry on while also reminding you how
much you are loved. They can even accompany you on new adventures when you're
ready. Consider speaking with a qualified psychotherapist to help you process
your emotions.
