Break-up

I think I can vouch for all women when I say that dealing with a relationship breakup can be rough. You’ve put all of your time and energy into building a strong bond with someone, and suddenly, it’s no longer working out. Whether the cause for the breakup was the direct result of something you did or something your significant other did, the pain and emotions that follow can really weigh heavily on you.

Sure, it’s natural to feel sad, betrayed, and let down; I even recommend gorging on a few comfort foods like a gallon of ice cream or a few chocolate bars as it’s all part of the “grieving process” if you will. While everyone will grieve differently, and get over their relationship in their own time, it is important that we don’t wallow too much in our pain and sorrow, as it can lead to depression and other disorders.

It’s Okay… Let it Out

When we think of grief, we often think of grieving the death of a loved one. However, grieving is simply a way of expressing sadness for any type of loss. The loss of a relationship, especially one that was long term or very meaningful, requires some space to let out the emotions we might be feeling. Trying to put on a facade that we’re alright causes us to internalize our emotions which is never a good thing. So go ahead ladies…. let it out.

Here are some healthy ways to grieve:

Release your anger – Scream into a pillow or reign a few blows on a punching bag and let it out. This is a healthy way to let your emotions out without harming anyone or damaging property. Part of expressing grief is physically expelling it from the body.

Write it down – another way to get your emotions out without harming anyone is to write it down. Sometimes seeing what you feel on paper can help you better handle your emotions. Write a letter to your ex (but don’t send it) expressing how you feel about how the relationship ended. You’ll feel so much better after you’ve vented.

Lean on Others – Everyone has that one person they can confide in, well now’s the time to call up your girlfriend, mom, or sister and let it all out.

Pick up a new hobby – In relationships, sometimes women have the tendency to “lose themselves”. Now that you’re newly single, it’s a great opportunity for you to find new hobbies and get back to the things you love to do.

Has Sadness Turned to Depression?

It can be quite easy for the sadness of a breakup to turn into depression, and recognizing the signs is extremely important. Signs of depression might include:

  • The inability to concentrate or remember things
  • Lack of energy or fatigue
  • Feelings worthless
  • Inability to sleep through the night or sleeping too much
  • Irritability
  • Body aches and pains such as headaches or cramps
  • Thoughts or attempts of suicide.

WebMD provides great insight on the signs and symptoms of depression and when you should reach out to a doctor.

Getting Help

If you do believe that you are depressed, it is important to reach out to someone for help. Those who are suffering from addiction and depression might fair better with specialized rehab for women and treatment centers that deal with dual diagnosis. Other options include seeking therapy to get advice on lifestyle changes.

Getting over a breakup takes time, and not everyone will get over it the the same way in the same span of time. Learning how to deal with your emotions in a healthy way is one of the best options for preventing serious conditions such as clinical depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is dealing with a bad breakup take the proper steps to move past it, and get help when necessary.

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