Getting Over a Breakup

Breakups can be painful. No matter the reason or how it ends, losing a loved one can send you into a spiral of anxiety and confusion.

The emotional cycle after a breakup won't last forever - Photo: FREEPIK

The emotional cycle after a breakup doesn't last forever. You can go from sadness to joy, anger, hope, nostalgia in just a few short minutes. How do you get through this emotional "storm"?

Is anxiety after a breakup normal?

According to Stacker, anxiety is a completely normal reaction after a breakup. Not only do you lose a loved one, but you also face major changes in your life. It could be your shared routine, your home, your shared friends… These factors can create an emotional “storm” that makes anxiety difficult to control.

If you already have an anxious attachment, you may experience more distress after a breakup and have difficulty adjusting to change.

People with this condition worry excessively about being abandoned or rejected. This often stems from childhood experiences with parents or caregivers. If you are the one being separated, this feeling can be even worse.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can also get worse after a relationship ends. OCD involves unwanted obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors to relieve them.

One study found that people who did not have OCD symptoms before a breakup were at risk of developing OCD after a relationship ended.

How to deal with anxiety after a breakup?

Your mental health can take a serious hit after a breakup. You may feel stressed, exhausted, and more emotional. This is similar to grieving a loss. Your brain may become foggy, making it difficult to concentrate or make decisions. This is why it is so important to take care of yourself in the days, weeks, and months after a breakup.

Don’t pressure yourself to get over your ex or get over the pain in a certain amount of time. Putting pressure on yourself can increase your anxiety and prolong the healing process.

Some ways to help you ease anxiety after a breakup include: meditation, keeping your mind calm and focused on the present, avoiding alcohol, and spending more time with family and friends.

Also, don't forget to exercise. Physical activity helps your body produce endorphins, which reduce anxiety and improve your mood.

Pay attention to your basic needs, ensure a healthy diet and adequate sleep. Some foods that can help reduce anxiety include green leafy vegetables, beans, liver and beef.

If post-breakup anxiety is seriously affecting your daily life, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. If you’re having trouble concentrating or are stuck in recurring anxious thoughts, seeking support is the right move.

Symptoms of post-breakup anxiety

Anyone who has experienced a breakup knows that pain is not just emotional, it can manifest physically as well. You may feel a tightness in your chest that lasts for hours or days, or a lump in your throat. The body often responds to emotional pain with physical symptoms.

Hormonal balance can also be affected. When you're in a relationship, your brain produces oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," which increases trust and reduces stress and anxiety. Dopamine, which gives you a feeling of euphoria, and pain-relieving endorphins, also contribute to your happiness. When you break up, these hormones drop dramatically, while cortisol, the stress hormone, increases, making anxiety more pronounced.

Common symptoms after a breakup include low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, especially if you were the one being broken up with. depression, anger, insomnia, anxiety, heart pain and other physical pain.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vuot-qua-cam-giac-do-vo-sau-khi-chia-tay-20250214131018271.htm