In hindsight, heartbreak seems simple, palpable, conquerable.
“I’ll bounce back!” We say.
“I’m strong!” We tell ourselves.
“There’s nothing I can’t handle!” We emphasize to others.
And it’s true. You are strong, you will get through it, but in the moment, it can be agonizing. So agonizing, heartbreak has even been proven to lead to an increase in cardiac risk.
With a little self-care, though, you can handle your heartbreak like a boss. This doesn’t mean forgetting your heartbreak altogether, just preventing it from permanently altering your physical and mental wellbeing. So, next time you have a broken heart, try these self-care tips before you try to drown your sorrows in less healthy habits.
Meditate
Your broken heart is most likely giving you bouts of anxiety and panic. Cue the deep breathing techniques that will alleviate this. When you meditate, you give your mind a break and allow the breath to heal you.
Set up a comfortable environment for meditating, with some candles, essential oils, a comfortable cushion, and perhaps even your favourite guided meditation app. Just taking five to ten minutes a day for yourself and your meditation practice can make a huge difference in your disposition.
Because meditation allows you to tap into your subconscious mind, you may even come to solutions or realizations you couldn’t previously access, allowing you to cope more reasonably with the source of your heartache.
Pamper yourself
A consistent self-care practice helps reduce cortisol levels in your body, thus reducing stress. Pampering yourself is perhaps the foremost self-care solution of all. One of the best ways to do this is by taking a bath. You can infuse your bath with essential oils that cater to reduced stress levels, such as:
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Chamomile
- Bergamot
- Ylang-Ylang
Face masks or candles infused with these relaxing scents also help. Not only does pampering yourself feel productive, it subconsciously suggests self-improvement, which can help you out of a rut or self-esteem issues.
In fact, relaxation improves mitochondrial function, which powers the cells in your body.
Take yourself out
Who says you can’t go on a date with yourself? Self-love is absolutely crucial in healing from heartbreak – particularly when another person is the source. Plan to take yourself out to lunch, dinner, or on a picnic.
And, if you feel awkward doing these activities alone, take along a distraction. This could be a book, a handheld gaming device, or any other sort of engaging hobby (like knitting, drawing, or journaling).
Planning nice things for ourselves aids in self-love, and self-love aids with our self-concept. The self-concept is how we perceive ourselves. A more positive perception of ourselves leads to healthier relationships, better decisions, and improved perseverance in overcoming our adversities.
Start a journal
Sometimes, you don’t need solutions, you just need an opportunity to vent out your worries and troubles. Journaling is a great way to carve out some you-time and get any vices off your chest. More and more research is showing that complaining is not actually good for you. So, rather than getting all your negative emotions out on someone else, put them on paper.
Journaling out your thoughts and feelings helps you curate a better knowledge of yourself. When they’re physically manifested in front of you in black and white, you also get an opportunity to view them more objectively.
Although excessive venting may not be healthy, neither is bottling up your emotions. A journal affords you some time to get in touch with your emotions and develop increased self-understanding and self-empathy.
Make an escape
No, this doesn’t mean a “run away from your problems” kind of escape. This is a “take yourself out among nature” kind of escape. Exposure to natural surroundings is responsible for improved psychological wellbeing, reduced blood pressure, and decreased muscle tension.
If you’re going through a hard time, take a day off from work, pack up a small backpack, and take yourself to the nearest mountain, lake, beach, or meadow. The further you are from urban pressures and the source of your heartache, the easier it will be to give your mind a break from it.
Broken Heart Syndrome
Chronic heartbreak can lead to broken heart syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Once you’re at cardiac risk, it can be difficult to recover, so caring for yourself as best as you can in the present moment is the answer.
Many people turn to substances or destructive activities when it comes to heartbreak, but these always lead to negative consequences. While you may have little control over the cause of your heartbreak, you do have control over how you process it.
Self-care is on the rise, making it easier than ever to implement in your life. So, if your heart is broken, we’re not saying a bubble bath will fix all your problems, but it just may help you see them more clearly.
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