Body & Mind

Science says: this is how to get over your break-up the fastest

By Sophie Rietmulder | #!31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:002831#31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 05am31am-31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:005Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200305308amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam8#08-05-2023#!31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:002831#/31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:30:28 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam8#

woman walks through hair salon in leopard print everyone looks

Do we still remember the iconic ‘all byyyyy myseeeeelf’ moment from Bridget Jones? Although this is mega relatable and nothing seems better than wallowing in an aura of Ben & Jerry’s and self-pity for weeks after a break-up, this is not the most effective way to get over your break-up. Let’s agree on this: you can surround yourself with Céline, Whitney, and Adèle for three more days while you have ‘P.S. I love you’ on repeat, and then you will go through the following steps to finally get over your breakup, deal?

No Contact
If you want to feel good again as soon as possible, you will have to face it: cold turkey quitting all contact. No contact ensures that your brain comes back into balance and learns to function without your ex in sight.

Away with those photos
When I broke up with my ex, I handed my phone to my sister while crying with the instruction: delete all photos. I didn’t want to see them anymore. In hindsight, this was a very good idea: those photos make you romanticize the past, causing you to long for your ex even more. So clean up your photo album and create space in your brain to give these memories a place.

Make a list of pros and cons
Your brain can really trick you in the first period after your break-up. It tends to associate thoughts about your ex with missing that person, and maybe even the desire to be with that person again. To regain control and make your brain think differently, you can create these two lists.

Cons
Write down everything you didn’t like about your relationship. What was missing? Why was that person not suitable for you? Why are you glad it’s over? What did you not like about your ex?

Pros
Here you do not write down everything you liked about your ex, no, here you write down everything you like about yourself. Everything you have to offer. Everything that makes you unique and amazing. Remind yourself of this regularly.

Boost your serotonin
Serotonin stabilizes our mood and reduces anxiety. Activities that stimulate serotonin can have a huge impact on how we feel. Think of meeting friends, exposure to sunlight, exercise, and getting your favorite coffee to go.

Start your glow-up
If there’s one thing that definitely makes me feel better, it’s taking care of a mega glow-up. After my last break-up, I was in the hairdresser's chair within two weeks to have my brown hair painted ‘Blake Lively-blonde’. I walked out of the salon as a new woman and felt better immediately. With more time for yourself, you have the chance to finally spend time on those things you always wanted to do. By the way, this doesn’t have to be just about your appearance; you could also start taking dance lessons or learn to cook a new dish. It’s time for a new you!

Source: Poosh | Image: Nettflix