Knowing where to start with self-care after a breakup isn’t always easy. We’ve all been there: Struggling with waves of post-breakup emotions, while curled up watching Netflix’s best romance movies and eating peanut butter from the jar. Yes, breakups are tough.
Whether it was amicable or not, ending a relationship always takes its toll, frequently leaving us confused and dejected. Oftentimes, we blame ourselves for a relationship that goes wrong. This risks plunging us into a downward spiral filled with self-doubt and self-loathing. That’s why all your post-breakup energy has to go towards the best kind of love — self-love.
Practicing self-love after a breakup is a key part of the recovery process – physically, emotionally, and mentally. It helps us to heal from the inside out, so we’re able to realign with what we need the most. In doing so, we’re able to emerge from the breakup happier, healthier, and more excited about what the future holds.
Not sure how to practice self-care after a breakup? Read on for practical tips and insights to help get you started.
What Is Self-Care?
The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.” When it comes to post-breakup self-care, different tactics can help, from exercising daily to regular meditation practice.
Self-care is necessary for fostering resilience and building up inner strength. When you commit to taking care of yourself after a breakup, you’re able to adapt to whatever life throws at you and come out better on the other side. You understand what you need when you need it, so you bounce back quicker. You know that life has its ups and down but you’re ready with the knowledge that you can handle them.
Post-breakup Self-Care: How Can It Help?
Breakups are hard no matter the circumstance. Suddenly your daily routine turns upside down and the person who you cared the most about in the world is no longer a part of your life. It can be disorienting and often creates feelings of confusion that leave you unsure of how to pick up the pieces. This is where self-care comes in.
Self-care after a breakup allows you to heal yourself as you start to focus on your needs going forward. Implementing a self-care routine is the best example of how you can nurture yourself so you can start living your best life.
How to Take Care of Yourself After a Breakup
There are different ways to practice self-care after a breakup. They can range from physical to emotional to mental habits. Below, we’ve aimed to tackle the topic of how to take care of yourself after a breakup, with an extensive list of self-care ideas to try.
Physical ways to practice self-care after a breakup
- Eat well. It’s easy to order takeout every day, especially when you’re depressed. But it’s been shown that nutrient-rich foods can boost your energy and improve your mood. Have fun experimenting with new healthy recipes. Try meal prepping for the week on Sundays or invest in a healthy food delivery service.
- Exercise regularly. When it comes to self-care ideas after a breakup, this is a great one to try. Exercise is an effective stress reliever. Get into the habit of doing some regularly, whether that’s taking a new gym class or going jogging in your neighborhood. Hint: If you go for an activity that you enjoy, then you’ll more likely to stick to the exercise.
- Treat yourself. Post-breakup self-care is all about self-indulgence. Treat yourself to regular massages, pedicures, manicures, facials, and any other type of luxury that’ll relieve your stress and help you feel your best. You deserve it!
Emotional ways to practice self-care after a breakup
- Lean on your support network. You need your friends and family more than ever right now. Your instinct might be to stay home alone and wallow. But, connections are nourishing, and having a shoulder to cry on is something that everyone benefits from. Don’t forget to have fun with your friends too! Get out of the house and push yourself to socialize once in a while. You’ll feel better for it.
- Journal it. So often, our emotions don’t have a proper outlet for release. This is where journaling comes in. Writing things down can play a powerful role when it comes to self-excavation and discovering how we feel underneath the surface. It’s a rewarding process that can help you to understand why you feel the way you do, ultimately helping to move on from the breakup.
- Do a social media cleanse. Yes, this means deleting your ex from your social media accounts and archiving photos of the two of you. This form of self-love after a breakup protects you from the burden of seeing anything you don’t want to see — like them dating again — and gives you a clean break.
Mental ways to practice self-care after a breakup
- Give therapy a go. Therapy can help you to understand your relationship and your patterns, as well as give you the tools you need to move on in the best way. It’s also a great way to help you process your emotions in a safe space, with someone who’s equipped to offer you the professional support that’s needed.
- Challenge yourself. Taking on challenging exercises like crossword puzzles or Sudoku can be the perfect distraction to stop you from focusing on your ex. These activities can also help you move from relying on your emotions by shifting your attention to your logical and rational mind.
Find the Solutions That Work Best for You
Breakups are difficult to manage. They can take a significant toll, which is why self-care after a breakup is so important. Ultimately, there are several different ways to practice self-care after a breakup, including:
- Eating well
- Exercising regularly
- Treating yourself
- Leaning on your support network
- Keeping a journey
- Doing a social media cleanse
- Giving therapy a go
- Challenging yourself
Take what works from the above self-care tips after a breakup to implement your new self-care routine. Take things slowly, be patient with yourself, and soon you’ll not just be surviving but thriving in your life post-breakup.
