A broken heart is one of the most common emotional experiences that people go through. It can be caused by a number of things, such as the death of a loved one, a break-up, or losing a job.
While there is no one “cure” for a broken heart, there are many practical steps that you can take to help yourself heal. In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to deal with a broken heart and start the healing process.
Self-Care Strategies
Nobody ever said that recovering from a broken heart would be easy, but with the right self-care strategies in place, it can be a lot less daunting. Here are some practical tips for healing a broken heart.
#1 – Give yourself permission to grieve
The first and most important step in healing a broken heart is to give yourself permission to grieve. It is natural and healthy to feel sad, angry, or scared after a loss. Allow yourself to experience these emotions fully, without judgment.
One of the best ways to do this is to journal about your feelings. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you to make sense of them and release them in a healthy way.
#2 – Take care of yourself
When you’re grieving, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep will help your body to heal.
It’s also important to find healthy ways to cope with your emotions. Talking to a therapist or counselor can be incredibly helpful. Other activities such as yoga, meditation, and spending time in nature can also help you to find peace and calm.
#3 – Lead the way in letting people know what you need
Your friends and family want to help you, but they may not know how. Let them know what you need, whether that’s space, time, or just a listening ear.
It can be helpful to talk about your feelings with people who are supportive and understanding. But if you find that talking about your grief is too painful, you may want to keep your feelings to yourself for a while.
Reach out to your support system and tell them what you need from them. It can be helpful to have someone to talk to who will just listen, without trying to fix anything.
Spending time with loved ones, close friends, or even pets can help provide some comfort. When you’re ready, get back into your hobbies and activities. Doing things that make you happy can help you start to feel better.
#4 – Write down what you need
Make a list of things you need to do to start moving on. This may include forgiving yourself, letting go of anger and resentment, or making peace with what happened. Write down your thoughts and feelings about each item on the list. Doing this can help you work through your emotions and start to accept what has happened.
Take your time healing and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With time, patience, and self-love, you will get through this difficult time. And remember, you are not alone. Millions of people have gone through a breakup and come out the other side stronger and more resilient. You can do this too.
#5 – Go outdoors
One of the best ways to boost your mood is to get outside in nature. Fresh air and sunshine can work wonders on your mental health. Even if it’s just for a brief walk around the block, getting some fresh air will do you good.
If you can, spend some time in nature every day. Go for a hike, sit by the ocean, or just stroll through a park. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you take some time to connect with nature.
#6 – Read self-help books and listen to podcasts
If you want to start feeling better, one of the best things you can do is educate yourself. Read self-help books and listen to podcasts that can help you understand your emotions and how to deal with them.
There are tons of great resources out there that can help you heal your broken heart. Educating yourself on the subject will not only help you feel better, but it will also give you the tools you need to prevent yourself from getting hurt again in the future.
#7 – Try a feel-good activity
Another great way to start feeling better is to do something that makes you feel good. This could be anything from getting a massage or going for a run, to watching your favorite movie or eating your favorite food.
Do whatever makes you happy and do it often. The more you focus on making yourself feel good, the faster your broken heart will start to heal.
#8 – Seek professional help
If you find that you just can’t seem to shake the feeling of sadness and despair, it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can help you work through your emotions and give you practical tools for dealing with a broken heart.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. There are plenty of people who have been through a broken heart and come out the other side. With a little time and effort, you can too.
Habits to Build
No matter how tough we try to be, eventually, we all experience the pain of a broken heart. The good news is that there are ways to heal that broken heart and build new habits in the process. Here are some habits you can start today to help you on your journey to healing.
#1 – Don’t try to suppress the pain
It’s natural to want to push away the hurt and pain of a broken heart. But suppressing those emotions can actually make them worse. Instead of trying to bottle up your feelings, allow yourself to experience them. Cry if you need to, journal about your thoughts and feelings, or talk to a trusted friend or therapist about what you’re going through.
#2 – Practice self-compassion
Beating yourself up about the breakup will only make the healing process that much harder. So instead of dwelling on your mistakes, practice self-compassion. Forgive yourself for whatever role you played in the breakup and focus on moving forward.
#3 – Create space in your schedule
One of the best ways to heal a broken heart is to keep yourself busy. So take this opportunity to fill your schedule with things that make you happy. Plan regular date nights with friends, sign up for that painting class you’ve always wanted to try, or spend more time exploring your hobbies and interests.
#4 – Foster new traditions
Another way to heal a broken heart is to create new traditions. If you and your ex always went on weekend hikes together, find a new hiking buddy or join a hiking group. If you loved cooking meals together, sign up for a cooking class or start cooking for yourself. Creating new traditions will help you move on from the old ones and create happy memories in the present.
#5 – Write it down
One of the most therapeutic things you can do after a breakup is to write down your thoughts and feelings. Write in a journal, create a blog, or even just jot down some notes on your phone. Getting your thoughts and emotions out will help you process them and start to move on.
#6 – Connect with yourself
After a breakup, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are and what you want. Take some time for yourself to reconnect with your own needs and desires. Spend time alone, do things that make you happy, and be patient with yourself as you heal.
Things to Keep in Mind
No one ever said that healing a broken heart was going to be easy. In fact, it can be downright painful and confusing, especially in the early stages. But with time and patience, you can eventually get to a place where you feel happy and whole again. Here are some things to keep in mind as you work through your grief.
#1 – Your experience is valid
No matter how your relationship ended, it’s normal to feel upset and heartbroken. Don’t try to compare your experience to anyone else’s or downplay your feelings. Your grief is valid, no matter how long you were together or how the relationship ended.
#2 – It’s not a competition
It can be tempting to compare your grief to others, but it’s important to remember that everyone grieves in their own way and at their own pace. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve, so don’t put pressure on yourself to heal according to anyone else’s timeline.
#3 – There’s no expiration date on grief
Contrary to popular belief, there is no expiration date on grief. You might hear well-meaning people say things like “it’s been long enough, it’s time to move on” or “you should be over it by now.” But the truth is, there is no timetable for grief. Allow yourself to grieve for as long as you need to.
#4 – You can’t avoid it
There’s no way to avoid grief – it’s an inevitable part of life. And unfortunately, there’s no magic cure-all for grief. The best you can do is give yourself time and space to process your emotions.
#5 – Expect the unexpected
One of the hardest things about grief is that it’s unpredictable. You might think you’re doing fine and then something will trigger a wave of emotions. It might be something as innocuous as hearing a song on the radio or seeing someone who looks like your loved one. Or it might be something more significant, like the anniversary of their death.
#6 – You’ll have periods of happiness
In the midst of all this pain, it might seem impossible that you’ll ever feel happy again. But grief is not a straight line. You will have periods of happiness, even if they’re interspersed with sadness. These moments might be fleeting, but they’re a reminder that life does go on and you will find joy again.
#7 – It’s okay to not be okay
There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. And there’s no timeline for healing. So don’t put pressure on yourself to “get over it.” It’s okay to not be okay. In fact, it’s necessary to allow yourself to feel the pain of your loss. Only then can you start to heal.
#8 – Seek self-acceptance
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to practice self-acceptance. This means accepting yourself, even with all your flaws and imperfections. It’s a process that takes time, but it’s worth it. Because when you accept yourself, you give yourself permission to heal.
Conclusion
Although it’s impossible to heal a broken heart overnight, these tips will help you start the healing process. Remember that time is your best friend and be gentle with yourself as you work through this difficult time.
Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling and allow yourself to grieve the loss of your relationship. With time and patience, you’ll eventually find your way back to happiness. Have you gone through a breakup recently? What tips helped you get through it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
