How To Heal From A Broken Heart

A break-up can be devastating. Heat break can be stressful as we cope with the loss of someone we cared for and adapt to the changes it brings. We also have to manage the changes in the future if we imagined being with them long-term. All of these things can take a toll on our mental health.

A broken heart can feel devastating. It may even be physically painful. However, if you feel like you are unable to cope then you may want to look into cognitive behavioral therapy. Therapy can be beneficial because it teaches us how to manage our emotions and regulate our thought patterns in order to improve our wellbeing. BetterHelp can match you with a therapist that can help you heal your broken heart and improve your mental health.

Even with therapy, you may also benefit from some self-care methods. But first, why does a broken heart hurt so much?

What is a Broken Heart?

When we are heartbroken, our brain registers that pain in a similar way that it registers physical pain. This is the reason that it sometimes feels like physical pain. This is also why people often say that it hurts to have a broken heart.

In addition, when we fall in love, our body releases hormones. Dopamine and oxytocin are hormones that are associated with love that can make us feel good. Furthermore, these hormones can make love addictive because we will crave them and search for the loving behaviors that release them.

When we are heartbroken, there’s a reduction in the mood boosting hormones and an increase in cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone that supports our response to danger. It can also contribute to anxiety and other negative symptoms.

There is also broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This is the syndrome that is caused by the stress related to a broken heart. It can cause symptoms including shoulder, arm, and chest pains and shortness of breath. The symptoms are often misidentified as a heart attack.

As you can see, a broken heart can be physically and mentally stressful. So what can you do to help mend the pain?

Stay Healthy

The pain of a heart break can easily contribute to isolation, excessive sleep, lack of motivation, and other negative habits. However, it is important that you take care of yourself. Take a shower everyday and try to get out of the house as much as possible.

You need to make sure that you keep your routine in place. This means working the same amount, sleeping the same amount, eating regularly, and exercising throughout the week. All of these things can be beneficial to your overall health.

Look at the Positive Side

It may not have ended how you hoped, but that does not mean that it was all bad. As Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Take a look at the relationship and the positive things that you experienced with your ex. Then, accept that you have to move on.

Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness techniques can be beneficial for your overall mental health and help your mind heal from the loss of a relationship. It can also help you develop self-compassion because it can change your perspective. Then you can identify your critical thought patterns and learn to accept the situation.

Don’t Move on Too Quickly

It is important to move on from a previous relationship, but it is also important not to do so too quickly. Rebound relationships can make it difficult to fully work through and accept the heartbreak. Take the time to gain perspective. This can also help you identify harmful behaviors or other patterns that may have contributed to the breakup.

Sometimes it can be hard to be alone after a relationship. However, it is important to remember that your value comes from the person you are and not from the person that you are in a relationship with. Use the time in between relationships to focus on yourself and your personal growth.

Strive for Forgiveness

Sometimes forgiveness can be hard. Forgiving your ex and you is important for acceptance. Try to remember that forgiveness does not necessarily mean that you are okay with the things that happened. Forgiveness allows you to admit to yourself that the situation was not healthy, and that the breakup was for the best despite the good times that you had.

Conclusion

It is important to take care of yourself after a heartbreak. It is impossible to change the past, but you can learn from the past and gain a new perspective. Then, you can accept the truth and move on at your own pace. Use the breakup as an opportunity for growth and development. However, if you feel like you are unable to cope or if you a struggling with normal functioning, then you should seek the help of a mental health professional.