6 Simple Ways For Coping With Breakup Stress

Whether the relationship lasted three weeks or three years, breakups can leave us feeling heartbroken, lost and even physically ill. To help you on your way, we’ve rounded up 6 simple ways for coping with breakup stress.

# Write or talk it out

Although suppressing unpleasant feelings is a natural impulse, avoiding your emotions will ultimately prevent you from moving past them. There are so many emotions involved in a breakup and writing out your thoughts in a journal, having a good cry, or talking to a therapist can help you process and gain the clarity you need to see why the relationship didn’t work and why you’ll be better off without your former partner.

# Take care of your body

Going on a “breakup diet” may sound like a good idea—we often think of looking our best as a way to get revenge on an ex—but it can easily become a way to punish yourself, reinforcing feelings of rejection. Instead of restricting calories, eat nourishing whole foods that are high in fibre, protein and nutrients to boost your mood and energy. A balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, greens and stress busting superfoods can help counteract the physiological stress of the breakup.

# Do things you love

After a bad breakup, it’s hard to get excited about the things you loved pre-split — but the only way to start enjoying yourself again is to force yourself to get out and do them anyway. Treat yourself to something that makes you feel good, try going to the movies to check out a new comedy or inviting your friends over to marathon-watch.

# Remind yourself of all great things in life

Painful breakups can cloud your thinking so that it’s almost impossible to look beyond the immediate feelings of pain and loss. You may have trouble remembering all the things you appreciate because you’re so focused on the negative. Practising gratitude can help to even out your moods and get you get back into a more positive headspace.

# Begin some kind of intense, rage-based workout routine. Maybe this isn’t a good time for yoga! Maybe it’s a good time for something new, like kickboxing. Really get some of that negative stuff out.

# Don’t scheme to get him back — scheme to get yourself back. Get some solid book recs, join a pickup sports game, go on a trip somewhere with a girlfriend. Paint your bathroom; I don’t care. Just do something for yourself.