“Falling in love presents very much like an addictive process,” said Brian Boutwell, an evolutionary psychologist at St. Louis University, “You have this drive to get that fix in the form of being around the person that you care about.”
“We have this pervasive idea that, ‘oh, it’s just a breakup, it’s not that big of a deal,’” he said. “Whereas emotionally it can be quite a big deal, and [breakups] can be a risk factor for depression, which is no clinical condition to take lightly. There is a real analogy of the, quote, broken heart. There’s some physiological rationales behind that thinking. [Breakups] can jeopardize one’s health.”
Here 5 things to do to get over a breakup:
- Say yes to every social invitation
That’s the best advice we can give you! As blogger Katie Bogen said: “For the first few weeks following the breakup, I vowed to accept every social invitation that came my way. This was the best decision I could have possibly made. I bought myself new bathing suits and went to the beach. I took selfies in the sun. I went to cast parties and had a snuggle pile on a damp lawn with other tipsy theater kids. I found my freedom.”
- Eat healthy food and do exercise
Take care about yourself! Healthy food and a good workout can really make you feel stronger.
- Spend time with friends
Reconnect with your friends and live positive experiences together. If you’re going through a breakup and live a long distance from your best friends, using these visits as a coping mechanism may be more challenging. If that happens: SKYPE! FaceTime. Plan phone calls. Make sure to hear their voices.
- Change haircut
Discover a new part of yourself! Getting your hair cut is like reclaiming your body as your own, asserting your autonomy, and taking a risk.
- Threw yourself into work
The breakup might have hurt your heart, but it can help you to find the strengh to solidify your career and professional goals.