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6. Prioritize Basic Self-Care
Self-care refers to ensuring that your basic needs are being met, despite the fact that
you may be feeling upset and depressed due to the break-up. You may not feel like
eating but do it anyways, and try to make some healthy choices in what you eat. Give
yourself ample time to sleep, particularly since this may be difficult for you. The
short-term use of some herbal alternatives or sleep medications may be necessary to
ensure you get the sleep you need. Sleep deprivation will only compound your
suffering. Keeping up or starting an exercise routine can also make you feel better
both physically and psychologically. Remember, exercise causes the release of
endorphins, which can make you feel better.
7. Get Back Into A Routine
Since going through a break-up can create a sense of chaos in many areas of your life,
continuing on with your routines will give you a better sense of stability or normalcy.
Although taking some expectations off yourself temporarily can help, returning to
routines shortly after the initial blow can help calm you down and give you a returning
sense of control. This might include routines around wake-up and bedtimes, meals,
school or work related activities, exercise, and time with others to mention a few.
8. Indulge Yourself
If there was ever a time to pamper yourself, it is after a break-up. You need to do
something that will actively make yourself feel better. Indulgence can take many
forms, depending upon what you really enjoy, but could include: going to a special
restaurant, going to a movie with a friend, having a hot bath, trying a massage, going
on a short trip, buying something new, taking the weekend off, taking a yoga class or
reading your favorite book.
9. Give Yourself Some Slack
Expect that you are not going to be functioning at full capacity for a time due to the
distress you are experiencing. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to lighten your load
for awhile. This might mean allowing yourself a break from studying for awhile, or
studying less than you usually would. It could also mean withdrawing from a class if
you’re really struggling or working a lot less in a part-time job for awhile. Although
some of these options may sound drastic, they will give you more time to adequately
process your loss. It may also mean expecting that your grades will go down a bit and
not judging yourself for this.
10. Don’t Lose Faith In People Or Relationships
Since you may be feeling very hurt after a break-up, it is easy to assume that all men
(or women) are bad or untrustworthy, but this just isn’t true. By holding on to this
belief, you will be denying yourself all kinds of opportunities for a great relationship