Regardless of how long a relationship lasts, making the decision to breakup commonly leaves one or both parties feeling empty, lost, heartbroken and sometimes physically ill. However, adopting healthy coping mechanisms helps the healing process so that you can move on with your life. Individuals also find that they recover much faster. Consider some of the techniques recommended by therapists.
Express Your Emotions
Getting over a painful situation requires allowing yourself to grieve. Avoiding emotions only makes internal stress build, which prevents you from getting on with your life. Talk to a friend or start a journal and be honest about feeling angry, disappointed and sad. Evaluate why the relationship failed and enumerate reasons why you might now be better off.
Take Care of Physical Health
Many people turn to food for comfort. However, there is no better revenge than keeping yourself attractive and healthy by maintaining a healthy diet. Choose foods having a high protein, fiber, mineral and vitamin count. There is no harm in overindulging occasionally, but keep the consumption of junk foods to a minimum.
Stay Physically Active
Cardiovascular exercise encourages endorphin release, which also does much for emotional, psychological and physical pain. While being sad often tempts individuals to mope around and feel lazy, fight the urge and go for a walk, a jog, a bike ride or participate in a sport. Staying active also serves to keep the mind occupied while making it more difficult to dwell on issues that cause anger or depression.
Count Your Blessings
While a breakup generally makes people feel like the end of the world has arrived, take the time to assess the positive things that you currently have in your life. This could mean having a loving family, friends, a great job or personal talents. Thinking about people or things that bring you joy and for which you are grateful to have additionally puts you in a better mood.
Treat Yourself
While people habitually prefer dwelling on the negative, push yourself into doing something that makes you happy. Enhance your self worth by indulging in a cup of cappuccino with friends, have a night out with loved ones and go to a movie or shopping. Have fun. Laughing has been scientifically proven to be a great healer.
Regulated Obsession
It is not uncommon for someone to obsess about negative or positive aspects of a previous relationship. Rather than allowing yourself to become a depressing hermit or making friends tired of hearing the sad tale, set aside five minutes per hour to wallow in self-pity, talk or write about your feelings. When the five minutes ends, do something constructive. The next day, reduce the time limit to four minutes per hour. The day after that, reduce the time further to three minutes. Continue the obsession diet until no time remains. One of the benefits of this exercise includes realizing that you are in control of your thoughts and emotions.
