Recovering from a broken heart: Tip of the Day 10-18-22

Heartache is one of the deepest kinds of pain. Whether you're dealing with the loss of a romantic relationship, friendship, or relative, relearning how to live and adapt without an important relationship you once had is deeply painful. Although it takes time, psychologists say there are things you can do to help recover from a broken heart.

Grieving is the first step to healing. Don't avoid grieving. Take a day off if you need to. Cry. Eat your favorite foods. Indulge in your favorite selfcare routine. Cry some more. It's okay to grieve. You just went through what probably feels like the hardest blow. When giving yourself permission to grieve, experts say you might find others becoming more free to experience their own grief. You'll likely find that you're not alone.

Let your support system know what you need. If you need to grieve alone in the beginning, let them know. If you don't have friends or family as a support system, consider online support groups. Some therapists recommend a "note card" system. That's when you write on note cards what your support system can do to help. When someone asks if there's anything they can do, give them a note card. If you haven't already thought about what you need, when asked you're likely to say that you don't need anything, which isn't true.

Make time for what brings you joy. If you don't know what that is, start a hobby. Anything that keeps you busy and helps you be productive will ease you out of your emotional funk. Join a cooking, painting, or fitness class (or whatever you've always wanted to try). Set up a routine that works for you and stick to it. This will help keep you from sinking into your unhappy place.

Make a conscious attempt at practicing self-care. Sis, put on a cute outfit. Do your hair. Put on some lashes or mascara, a little lip gloss, and your favorite perfume. You probably won't feel like it, but it will help you mentally feel better. Also, exercise. Getting in shape and feeling healthy can help rebuild your self-esteem. Plus, working out releases endorphins in the brain which is a happy chemical.

As much as you might feel like suffering alone, make time for your friends. Grieving alone for too long can amplify your feelings of sadness and rejection. If your friends call you to hang out, say yes! Let them be your hype crew, and comfort you. It is likely they too have been through a breakup and can help you through yours.

Prioritizing mental health is so important after a breakup. Therapy can provide a safe place to deal with pain from a breakup while learning how to cope with difficult emotions, build your resilience, and embrace your independence.

The loss of a partner is no indication of your worth. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

Bonus tip: Avoid numbing the pain with alcohol and drugs. You want to get through this and heal. Numbing the pain prolongs the process and puts you at risk for getting addicted.

Bonus tip#2: Trying to keep tabs on your ex will only hurt you further and stall your progress of moving on with your life. Trying to stay friends with them when you are still not over the heartbreak is a bad idea. Delete your ex off of social media if seeing them destroys your peace.