Relationship breakups can be emotionally exhausting, with the sadness and grief often spiraling into depression. As a relationship counselor, I treat my clients for depression after a breakup by showing them how to reduce their emotional turmoil, cope with their feelings and quicken the healing process. In Part 2 of this series, I’ll be sharing some valuable tips that can help you emotionally get through a breakup and avoid depression.

 

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Accepting Feelings: After a breakup, it’s perfectly normal to feel conflicting emotions, including sadness, grief and regret. I always encourage my clients to acknowledge their feelings after a breakup even if they are painful because trying to suppress or ignore will only make the grieving process longer.

Expressing Feelings: Keeping your feelings bottled up after a breakup only adds to the depression. It can be difficult to talk to other people about your feelings, but you need to do so to avoid feeling less alone in your pain and heal faster. You can also note down your feelings in a diary which can serve as a helpful outlet to release your feelings of anger and hurt.

Taking a Break: A breakup can leave you less productive on the job or when doing the housework. Go easy on yourself and accept that it’s okay to function at a less than optimal level until you heal, regroup, and re-energize.

Exercising: It’s well known that exercising increases serotonin levels in the brain that boosts feelings of well-being. Try to exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week to lift your mood because it can be as effective as taking antidepressants and ward off those depressive feelings resulting from a breakup.

Getting Enough Sleep: I always recommend sleep as one of the best methods to tackle stress and avoid depression. Instead of sleeping for the same number of hours at different times, maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This will leave you feeling more refreshed and energized. You can also experiment with different relaxation techniques, like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, to get good sleep.

Maintaining Regular Diet: It’s not just your mind, but also your body that needs to heal from a breakup. Avoid going on a diet or binges when you're feeling low. Instead, eat and drink what you normally do, but add vitamins, supplements and energy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to your regular diet.

Pursuing Hobbies: Studies have shown that engaging in creative activities, such as drawing, painting and playing music, can change brain patterns and increase serotonin levels. Take up creative activities, which can act as outlets for your emotions that you are otherwise unable to express in other ways and help you heal faster.

Seeking Professional Help: If you’re overcome with sadness and have started to dwell in grief after a breakup, then it’s time to seek a relationship counselor who can help you come to terms with your emotions and teach you how to deal with your feelings in a healthy way. Breakups are never easy, but a good relationship counselor can provide you with the right tools and motivation to help you come out of depression and heal faster.

If you'd like professional help overcoming a relationship breakup or any other issue, contact Orly Gueron a Licensed marriage and family therapist and relationship specialist in Aventura, FL!