by Deborah English

Created on: October 15, 2007

Dealing with Heartbreak is one of the most difficult things to do. When you loose someone you have shared your feelings and a lot of your life with, it can make you feel sad and empty. At the same time, you might feel angry and jealous, and your self-worth can drop.

Even though this confusing jumble of emotions is terribly painful, there are ways to deal with it so that you can move on and begin enjoying your life again.

Here are some tips to help you get through your pain:

1. Crying is Okay

It is tough going through a break-up, and letting out your emotions can be a great relief. Crying can be especially difficult for guys, but it is a healthy thing to do once in a while. You don't have to do it in public; find a private space. "Venting" like this, really gets rid of negative energy and makes room for positive energy to come back into your life.

2. Talk to Someone you Trust

Talking about your feelings with someone you trust can help you feel a lot better. Sometimes when you split up with someone, you feel very alone with your pain; however it is helpful to keep in mind that many people, at some stage in their lives, experience the same sorts of feelings when a relationship ends. You'll be surprised about how much better you will feel after talking with a close friend or an older family member. If your depression lasts a long time and you feel you need some extra support; talking to a counselor can be very helpful.

3. Look After Your Body

When you are feeling bad, and have low self-esteem, it is especially important that you look after yourself. You are probably feeling completely unmotivated, but try to eat healthily and put some exercise into your day. Looking after your physical needs will minimize depression and help you get back on track.

4. Do Things You Enjoy

Try to put your energy into something you love doing. Maybe there are things you didn't get enough time to do when you were with your ex. This might be sketching or writing or a team sport. As well, take the opportunity to spend more time with friends. All of these things will make you feel good and help your emotions to heal.

5. Give it Time

You have probably heard the saying: "Time heals all wounds." You might be hurting so much that you think you won't ever heal, but eventually, we all do feel better again. How long emotional wounds take to heal depends upon the depth of the hurt and how you deal with it.

Don't expect to feel better straight away; just be patient with yourself, and in time, you really will feel better. And when you are on the other side, you will have learned a lot about yourself and what sort of relationship you might want for the future.

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