Making a Bad Breakup Worse
We’ve all seen those movies where the protagonist downs a pint of ice cream while sobbing to Adele’s “Someone Like You.” While it may seem like a normal way to cope, it’s not the healthiest option. Here are some ways to make a bad breakup worse:
1. Serenading yourself with sad songs on loop
We’ve all done it. After a breakup, we make a playlist filled with the saddest songs we can find and listen to it on repeat.
It’s important to feel all of our emotions, but dwelling on sadness can keep us from moving on. Try listening to upbeat music or listening to podcasts that inspire you instead.
2. Neglecting self-care
When we’re feeling down after a breakup, the last thing we want to do is take care of ourselves.
Showering and hygiene may seem like low priority tasks, but they’re important for our mental health. Taking care of ourselves can help us feel better and more confident.
3. Skipping work
It may seem tempting to take a mental health day or even a week off from work after a breakup, but it can be a slippery slope.
Skipping work can keep us from our professional goals and can make us feel even worse about ourselves.
4. Eating unhealthy foods
Eating junk food can be tempting when we’re feeling down, but it’s not going to help us feel better. Eating unhealthy foods can make us feel sluggish and can even make us sick.
Instead, try to eat a balanced diet and even treat yourself to your favorite healthy foods.
5. Giving up on clean laundry and appearance
It’s easy to fall into a slump after a breakup. We may start wearing our sweatshirts all day, every day or even neglect our own laundry.
But, giving up on our appearance can make us feel worse and can keep us from feeling confident. Try dressing up, even if you’re just staying at home.
6. Crying on ex’s doorstep
Unexpectedly showing up at your ex’s doorstep uninvited is not the way to cope with your breakup.
It may seem romantic in movies, but it’s not healthy behavior. It can lead to regret and even put you in a dangerous situation.
7. Threatening suicide
When we’re feeling desperate, it may seem like threatening suicide is the only way to get our ex’s attention.
But, it’s important to remember that this is a dramatic and not healthy way to cope with a breakup. It can lead to negative consequences and even further isolate us from the people we care about..
8. Calling ex’s friends and family
It can be tempting to talk to ex’s friends or family in the hopes that they’ll tell our ex how much we’re hurting.
But, this is not a healthy way to cope. It can create more problems and even make our ex’s friends and family concerned for our well-being.
9. Obsessively monitoring ex’s social media
In the age of social media, it’s easy to keep tabs on our ex’s every move.
But, stalking their social media is not healthy. It can lead to jealousy and keep us from moving on.
Instead, try to take a break from social media and focus on your own life.
10. Drinking at inappropriate times and places
We may start to feel like alcohol is our best friend after a breakup, but it’s not a healthy choice. Drinking at inappropriate times and places can lead to negative consequences and even further isolate us from the people we care about.
11. Weeping in public
It may seem like a good idea to cry in the middle of a Target aisle, but it’s not healthy behavior.
Sobbing in public can make us feel worse and even put us in a dangerous situation. Instead, try to find a safe and private space to let out your emotions.
Coping with a Bad Breakup
Now that we’ve covered the ways to make a bad breakup worse, let’s take a look at healthy ways to cope:
1. Allowing yourself to grieve
It’s important to feel all of our emotions after a breakup.
We should allow ourselves to grieve and process our emotions. This can take time, but it’s important to take the time we need to heal.
2. Seeking support from friends and family
Our loved ones can be a great source of emotional support after a breakup.
It’s important to lean on them and talk about our feelings. They can offer a fresh perspective and help us feel less alone.
3. Engaging in self-care activities
Self-care is an important part of coping with a breakup.
We should take care of ourselves both physically and mentally. Self-care can include exercise, therapy, or even a spa day.
4. Focusing on personal growth and goals
After a breakup, it can be helpful to refocus our energy into personal growth and goals.
We can use this as an opportunity to work towards things that make us happy and fulfilled.
5. Avoiding contact with ex
The no contact rule can be helpful in healing after a breakup. Avoiding contact with our ex can help us move on and focus on ourselves.
6. Finding closure
Closure can look different for everyone.
It may include having a conversation with our ex or even writing a letter that we never send. Finding closure can help us accept the breakup and move on.
7. Moving on and finding new interests
After a breakup, we have the opportunity to try new things and find new interests.
Putting our energy into something new can help us move on and feel excited about the future.
Final Thoughts
Breakups can be tough, but there are healthy ways to cope. It’s important to allow ourselves to feel our emotions and take the time we need to heal.
Seeking support from loved ones and practicing self-care can go a long way in our healing process. Remember to avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms and focus on our personal growth and goals.
Keep in mind that everyone has their own unique way of healing, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Take care of yourself, and remember that things will get better with time.
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that a bad breakup can be a trying time, but there are healthy ways to cope with it. While it may be easy to fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms like obsessively monitoring social media or neglecting self-care, there are ways to move forward in a productive and positive manner.
By allowing ourselves to grieve, seeking support from friends and family, focusing on personal growth and goals, and finding closure, we can overcome this difficult time and come out stronger. Remember, healing takes time, and everyone’s journey is unique.
With patience, self-care, and positive intentions, we can come out of a bad breakup better than we were before.
