Coping With Depression After a Breakup: Nine Expert-Backed Tips
Breakups can be one of the most emotionally exhausting experiences that a person can go through. The aftermath can affect one’s mental health in several ways.
From depression to hopelessness, fatigue to the desire for solitude, random crass statements to doubting your own emotional reactions, it can seem like there’s no end to the emotional turmoil that you can experience. If you have recently gone through a breakup, it’s important to address the ways in which you can cope with the mental health problems that might arise.
Nine Expert-Backed Tips
Here are nine expert-backed tips for coping with depression after a breakup:
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Seek Professional Help
The first thing that you should do if you’re experiencing mental health problems after a breakup is to seek professional help.
Consider therapy or counseling from mental health professionals who can give you the token advice that you need to set yourself on the path of healing. Agenda-free therapy can be of immense help during this time.
According to Dr. Aman Bhonsle from Bonobology, “In therapy, individuals can talk about their emotions and work on solutions to their problems. A trained therapist will be able to provide guidance on how to cope during this time.”
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Blaming Oneself and the Victim Mentality
One of the most common things that people tend to do after a breakup is to blame themselves. Accepting responsibility is a good way to start taking control of your life.
However, it’s important to avoid falling into the trap of the victim mentality. Instead of blaming yourself, become an investigator and understand the situation better.
It might be uplifting to remind yourself that you did your best. There might have been things that were simply out of your control.
Put some effort into the journey of uplifting yourself, too.
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Exercise
Physical activity is a great way to get your mind off things and boost your mood. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good hormones that can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
It is also said to improve sex drive and self-esteem if done regularly. Apart from that, regular exercise can help you build muscle and lose weight, leading to a more confident and energetic self.
The dopamine surge may be one of the things you require to get over your ex.
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Revisiting Old Hobbies
Distract yourself by revisiting old hobbies or work-along by yourself. Rekindling old hobbies that had been forgotten in the process of your dating life can show you what you’re made of.
It’s also a great way to focus on something other than your breakup and take your mind off things.
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Accepting Help from Loved Ones
Going through a breakup can be an inferno, and social isolation can make it worse. You can get out of your shell and get some company by accepting offers to hang out or talk things through with your closest friends or family members.
Being reconnected to loved ones can make the journey easier.
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Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation has proven to be a healthy way to combat stress and improve your mental state. Transcendental meditation is a great place to start.
It’s important to do 10 minutes of daily meditation to improve your mental state and help you manage negative emotions better.
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Addressing Insecurities
Going through a breakup may trigger insecurities that you never knew existed. Insecurities such as possessiveness, sexism, miscommunication all have to be addressed.
By confronting them head-on and processing them, you will become a more self-aware and centered person.
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Assessing Dating Habits
After a break up, it’s crucial to avoid going back to old habits or making the same mistakes. It’s essential to deal with social patterns and identify fault lines to promote a healthier relationship in the future.
By filtering out similarities and understanding yourself better, you can change the course of your love life for the better.
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Getting Back Out There
In due time, you can start moving on. The great thing about this is that it doesn’t always mean going into another relationship; it can often be as simple as testing the waters.
Create a Tinder profile, go on a few dates, or do other things that might validate you and give you that dopamine surge you crave.
In conclusion, a breakup can be hard and can hurt your mental health in several ways.
The important thing to remember is that you can always address the issues by seeking professional help, doing exercise, practicing mindfulness and meditation, revisiting old hobbies, and getting support from loved ones. By taking some time to assess insecurities and reflect on dating habits, one can put one’s best foot forward in moving on and recover from heartbreak in the most efficient way possible.
To sum up, experiencing a breakup can have a significant impact on mental health, but there are many ways to cope and recover. Seeking professional help, exercising, revisiting old hobbies, accepting support from loved ones, practicing mindfulness and meditation, addressing insecurities, assessing dating habits, and getting back out there are all viable options to begin the healing process.
While there is no magic bullet, what is important is that you set yourself on the path forward and begin to explore what works best for you. Mental health is essential, and it’s important to take care of yourself during challenging times like these.
By being proactive and prioritizing your well-being, you can emerge from a breakup feeling stronger and more empowered than ever before.
