Breakups are a big and painful change. The grief and emotional ripple can take time to settle in and process, whether the relationship ended by your own decision, theirs, or by a mutual choice. Your mind and body have to adjust, and there will be shifts in your mood, energy, and daily routines. There is no clear-cut way to heal and move on from heartbreak, but there are some basic overall principles that can guide you in the right direction. Like any growth journey, it can be difficult, and getting over someone is a long process that you can overcome with time. It can be exhausting, but it is a perfectly normal part of letting go. 

What To Do After A Breakup 

While you may feel hopeless and helpless, there are some things you can do to cope with these hurtful feelings. In my experience, a great support system is very helpful. While this is a very personal experience you need to go through on your own, being able to talk it out with a supportive person can help you eventually move forward. More short-term actions let you focus on stability, emotional space, and future boundaries. 

During the weird times after a breakup, you feel lost. Structure can be soothing to the mind and body, even if you don’t think it could be. Taking care of yourself by tuning into what your body needs is a great way to bring back self-love and compassion. Whether you prioritze good sleep, quality time with friends, working out, or eating good and hearty meals, it will bring back

long-lasting loving feelings for yourself and the world around you. The coping mechanisms people tend to use after a breakup can influence the way they emotionally recover. One thing I created for myself was a way smaller self-care routine. Instead of expecting myself to have the energy to function at my usual capacity, creating smaller steps and productive tasks to do throughout the day helped support my stability and overall emotions.

Again, your mind and body may need extra support from yourself to feel okay. Mindfulness practices, like meditation, deep breathing, and stretching, can help bring those crazy racing thoughts back to the present moment. Any chance you get, when you are ready to process your emotions, journaling and writing down everything can help bring clarity and open up your mind to something completely new. Even just a few minutes of absolute silence and reflection can help settle your nervous system and bring steadiness in your emotions and thoughts. Research shows that mindfulness-based practices are effective at reducing stress and anxiety, and contribute to the reawakening of your compassion. 

Apart from your own mind and self-care habits, setting boundaries with your ex is very important. The level of contact may vary as every breakup is different, but taking time to consider what feels the healthiest for you is healing. Asking for space, limiting communication, or finding a way to block them online is completely normal. This distance can help with any overwhelming feelings that may arise, and it gives you time to adjust to a life without them. Even taking space from a partner can help the process of building clarity back up for the relationship and for yourself outside of the relationship.

What To Do Next 

Remember, there is no single correct way or rule book on how to get over a breakup. Moving on is non-linear, and everyone has their own personal process. No matter how you are coping or in what way, there’s no need for you to go through it alone. With a helpful support system and using mindful practices for your mind, body, and soul, your process may be a bit more manageable. Seeking out professional mental health support can help you process your feelings, as well, and can help you feel more like yourself. Getting over a breakup is a long and hard process, but you can learn to be yourself again someday.

How do you get over a breakup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!