When our heart breaks, we think we're going crazy. We can't sleep, we can't eat, we can't think about anything else, and nothing feels normal. The pain is huge and we don't know what to do. But you're not going crazy. A broken heart doesn't only hurt emotionally. It affects your body too, and the physical pain many people feel after a breakup is real.
The problem is that we think a breakup only touches the soul, and the body carries on as usual. It doesn't work that way. Body and mind are tied together and affect each other. When you stop looking after yourself, it makes everything harder. Once you see that healing includes taking care of your body, you're on the right path.
Sleep
When you're tired, you have less energy and motivation, and getting back to a routine gets harder. When you don't sleep well, you have less control over your emotions, so everything feels sharper. And when everything feels sharper, it's harder to handle the situation well. Sleep matters for your health in so many ways, so do what you can to sleep well. Without it, healing is so much harder.
I know some of you want to sleep and just can't. Maybe you struggle to fall asleep, maybe you wake up again and again during the night, maybe you have nightmares. All of that is normal after a breakup. Try writing in a journal just before bed. Take a sheet of paper and write down everything you feel, without judging it. Don't keep anything inside. It can bring real relief. You can also try meditating and letting your thoughts pass, or practising gratitude by listing the good things that happened today. The goal is to go to sleep with a quieter, lighter mind.
Food
When you're hungry or not eating well, you have less energy and you'll probably feel more tired. What you're going through takes a lot of energy, and it's your job to give your body what it needs to recover. Overeating isn't good for you either.
When you don't eat properly, whether you lose weight or gain it, it can affect how you look and feel about yourself, and knock your self-esteem. That makes everything harder. Try not to keep unhealthy food in the house, so there's less temptation. A warm cup of tea can be calming. If you have no appetite, start with small portions, but don't skip meals. You could also ask someone to help you plan a week of meals, which makes it easier to stick to good habits.
Exercise
Finally, I recommend moving your body. Exercise is healthy and it helps with stress. It can give you a break from thinking about your ex and crying all day, and most people feel better afterwards.
Work out to music that makes you feel good, go with friends, or join a gym or a class. It's also a great way to meet new people and make friends.
Sleep, food and exercise all help you feel better. When you take care of yourself and your body, your self-esteem and confidence grow, and you have more motivation to work on your happiness.
