How to Recover from a Break Up

Whether this is your first relationship or your twenty-seventh, dealing with a break up is hard. There are some cases where the break up was easy as slicing cake. However, majority of break ups leave one feeling lonely and depressed, even if they are the ones who initiated the break up.

The 24 Hour Mope: For the next 24 hours you are entitled to a whole day of crying, lounging in your pajamas, and eating a gallon of Ben and Jerry's. Be sad and lazy the whole day if you need it. Do not feel guilty for taking this whole day either. Your heart was just broken by someone you liked, loved, or trusted. If you do not take this day right after the break up, then you may find yourself having an emotional break down later in the week. However, you only get 24 hours. The second the sun comes up signifying the second day, you have to start moving on. If that is hard to do the second day, you have to continually tell yourself, "I had my cry day now it is time to move on with my life."

Reconnect With Loved Ones: Hopefully your friends and family will be there to support you after a break up. Do not be afraid to tell them what happened. They might be able to provide a caring ear, encouragement, and advice. Spending more time with family and friends will help you to remember that you are still loved, even if you do not have a significant other in your life anymore.

Partake in Your Passions: So many times we forget or ditch the things we love when we are in a new relationship. Now that you have more free time in your life, spend it doing the things you love or searching for a new hobby. This will help you keep your mind off your ex and heal slowly.

Extract Emotions: It is natural to have second thoughts after a break up. Usually with these second thoughts comes the urge to call or write the person. Do not contact them under any circumstances. This is part of your healing time. If you cannot resist the urge to speak to them, write it out in a letter instead. Write whatever you want, and then burn it. Do not send it! You can also get out your emotions through journaling, writing songs or poetry, or even taking physical action, like kickboxing.