5 Ways to Heal a Broken Heart
There are many ways to heal a broken heart -- and different things work for different people! Some jump right back into dating and relationships, while others need to retreat and "lick their wounds" for awhile.
And, some people get stuck in the past for years.
No matter which way you heal, there are certain things you can do to ensure you're coping in healthy ways.
These five ways to heal a broken heart can help you move on, whether you're letting go of an addictive love relationship or an estranged family member.
1. Accept the role you played in your relationship. You affected your relationship somehow -- for better or worse! Accepting who you were and what you did isn't about feeling guilty or superior; it's about accepting the worst and best parts of yourself. If you can gain insight into how you affected your relationship and the break up, you increase your chances of having a healthy relationship in the future.
2. Accept your lack of control in the break up. This may sound contradictory, but even though you affected the relationship, you were also "out of control"! No matter how "good", smart, helpful, giving, or attractive you are, you can't control whether other people stay with you. There are other factors that make people to leave...and the sooner you accept your lack of control, the easier it'll be to heal a broken heart.There's a delicate balance between being out of control in one sense (you can't force someone stay in your life) and being an active participant in the way your relationship unfolded.
3. Start something new in your life. A great way to heal a broken heart is to do something different in your social, professional, personal, or spiritual life. Volunteer, take a vacation, join a new gym, take a night class, join a support group, quit your job, find ways to take risks every day. If you're can't summon the strength or energy, you may still need to process your loss and heal. For help, visit 75 Ways to Let Go of Someone You Love.
4. Remember both the good and the bad parts of the relationship. After a break up, it's easy to just focus on the great parts of your relationship and his or her personality. But, don't forget the flaws in the relationship! Remembering both what you loved and what you hated will help you say goodbye and move on.
5. Get professional help if you can't handle the breakup alone. Talking through your problems with an objective counselor, pastor, or psychologist can help you let go of someone you love by helping you recognize the big picture -- especially if you're scared or depressed. If you feel lost and helpless because he said he doesn't love you anymore, seek help. Support groups and good friends can also help you heal a broken heart.
For more tips, read How to Let Go of Someone You Love .
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created five "Quips and Tips" blogs:
