Valentine’s Day, a day meant to celebrate love, can easily put you in a less than celebratory mood when you are dealing with a broken heart.
Even if you have made progress in healing from a breakup, the arrival of Feb. 14 can make you want to lock yourself in your room, put on some sad music, and cry.
However, dealing with heartbreak on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be emotionally draining.
Mourning the end of a relationship can be difficult, especially on a holiday that celebrates love. Therefore, it is important to find healthy ways to cope with your emotions.
Here are some tips for dealing with heartbreak on Valentine’s Day.
Let yourself get emotional
It is perfectly natural to feel all sorts of emotions after a breakup, from utter sadness to blinding anger. If you suddenly feel deeply, let it out; you will feel better after.
However, it is important to remember not to let these emotions dictate your life. If you feel sad, dive into that emotion, let it out, and then move on. Trying to numb yourself to the pain or holding your emotions in can cause your heartbreak to remain with you for much longer and can cause unnecessary levels of stress.
Let go of negative thoughts.
When you experience a breakup, you may feel like everyone is out to hurt you or that the world is a dark, unfriendly place. It’s important to remember that many people love you and many beautiful things to experience in the world. To rid yourself of negative thoughts, focus on things you love and surround yourself with people and things that make you happy. Meditation can be an excellent way to dispel negative thoughts.
Don’t beat yourself up over the breakup
When someone you trust, like your ex, suddenly hurts you, it can make you begin to question your worth. Don’t let yourself go down this path; you are worth a whole lot. Remind yourself of your strengths and things that you are good at, or take pleasure in them. Focus your energy on things that make you feel good about yourself. Finish that mixed media piece you’ve been working on; read a great book. These things will help you remember that, though you have experienced being hurt, you are strong enough to overcome your broken heart.
Remember to take care of yourself
Despite the fact that you might just feel like sleeping all day, you really do need to keep up your health. Remember to eat and try to get a little exercise every once in a while. Exercise actually boosts your serotonin levels, which in turn will make you feel happier. Eat what you can manage, and boost your incentive to eat by treating yourself to something you love at least once (ice cream, a smoothie, chocolate, or whatever you love).
Avoid the ‘Ex Games’
There is no question about it; you two broke up. Regardless of whatever sugarcoating you might have been fed, like the dreaded “it’s not you, it’s me” or “you’re just too good for me,” the message is the same: your lover does not want to be in a relationship with you. Do not waste your time by trying to play games to get him or her back. Trying to make her jealous or continually calling him to talk your breakup through is a waste of your valuable time. Put your energy towards moving on and starting over.
