4 Ways To Push Past A Broken Heart After A Breakup
Don't let a breakup drag you down.
by Wesner Rodrigues from Pexels Everyone wants a happy life.
Happiness can bring you better health, more satisfying relationships, make you more creative, and attract happy people to you — but this can seem impossible if you're trying to figure out how to get over a breakup and move on with your dating life.
During this time, it’s easy to set your focus on all the bad things in life while ignoring the good when you're going through the transition to healing after the breakup.
But there are proven steps and habits you can develop to help shift the spotlight back onto the good things.
You'll generate more happiness in your life so that you can get back on your feet and accelerate those happiness perks of heath, love, creativity, and healthy relationships.
Here are 4 easy steps you can take to get over a breakup and be happy in your life again:
1. Offer forgiveness
I know this habit can be hard to cultivate after a difficult breakup.
But, keeping grudges means holding onto anger, resentment, and hurt and the truth is, the only person you are hurting is you. When you are ready to let go, practicing forgiveness releases the pain and allows you to move on.
Think of a grudge you’re holding against your ex. Acknowledge your feelings, thoughts, and sensations around the experience then ask yourself, what areas in my life is this grudge negatively affecting?
How is it impacting those around me? What positive change would occur if I let it go and moved on?
Forgiveness isn’t about minimizing feelings or condoning transgressions. It’s about letting go and setting yourself free.
2. Perform acts of kindness
Giving not only benefits the receiver, but it also contributes to the givers’ health, happiness, and sense of social connection. Many people who have experienced grief or loss find much healing in doing something for others.
Try this simple exercise to get started:
Choose one day this week and perform five acts of kindness. They can be big or small, random or planned, for a stranger or someone you know.
Dropping a quarter in a stranger’s parking meter, donating blood, paying for the person's food behind you in the fast-food lane, or pitching in on a colleague’s project.
At the end of the day write down what you did, how the person responded, and notice the difference you feel.
3. Practice gratitude
People who express gratitude on a consistent basis are more optimistic, less materialistic, and more forgiving.
Here’s one method of harnessing the positive power of gratitude:
On a piece of paper rank your happiness on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being "never" and 10 being "all the time." Seal your answer in an envelope and set it aside.
At the end of each day, write down three things you’re grateful for. It can be ordinary (clean running water) or uplifting (watching your child graduate).
After two weeks, rank your happiness again and compare it with your original score. Chances are you’re significantly happier.
4. Write in a journal
Expressive self-reflection through writing is a very powerful, healing, and empowering practice that will help you to be able to express what you are feeling and is a proven way to reduce stress and mitigate the trauma of a difficult breakup.
Here’s one method of harnessing the positive power of journaling:
To begin journaling, simply use a notebook, a journal, your favorite pen and find a quiet place and time where you can focus inward.
Think about setting the stage for tranquility by lighting a candle, playing soft music, or doing something that honors your inner and outer space devoted to creative self-expression. Periodically take time to reflect back on your journal notes and see the healing process take place.
Chances are by journaling you will notice how you are significantly contributing to your healing process. Find a way to celebrate!
Life has plenty of ups and downs, and difficult breakups are no exception. By implementing these steps into your daily life, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever challenge life throws at you and experience more happiness.
You deserve a happy life!
Sandra Donati is the president of InteGreat Peak Performance. Work. Life. Play. LLC., and an adjunct professor at American University in their Department of Public Affairs and Key Executive Leadership Development Programs. Sign up for her online course, "The Quest: Navigating a Path to Happiness."
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