Breakups can be tough, and sometimes the ensuing pain may leave one feeling lost and anxious. Anxiety is part of the common emotional responses after a breakup, making everyday overwhelming. But what exactly is anxiety?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Breakups and Anxiety
- Understanding Anxiety
- Triggers and Experience
- Coping with Anxiety After a Breakup
- Share with a Trusted Person
- Self-Care Tips
- Stay Busy with Hobbies
- Limit Social Media
- Mindfulness and Relaxation
- Conclusion
- Healing and Moving Forward
- Further Reading & Socials
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is the normal and expected reaction to stress; it is a feeling of fear or worry regarding what might happen next. There are a lot of things that may trigger anxiety after a breakup: being afraid of being alone, uncertainty about the future, or the feeling of loss linked with the loss of someone whom one loved so much. It feels like a storm in your mind when you are surrounded by negative thoughts swirling around, not having any chance of concentrating or being calm.
Now, let us discuss how you can cope with this anxiety effectively.
1. Share with a Trusted Person
One of the best ways to deal with anxiety after a breakup is by talking about it. If you keep your feelings pent up, it may only worsen the anxiety. Share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust, it can be a close friend, family member, or even a counsellor.
Talking helps in two ways:
- It releases your pent-up feelings.
- You have a more realistic perspective towards the situation.
For example, you can tell a friend that you are afraid you will never again find love. The friend will likely remind you about past relationships where you felt the same way but finally moved ahead and are now living happily again.
2. Take Good Care of Yourself
Looking after yourself when you’re feeling anxious is really important. It’s so easy to let yourself go a bit following a breakup. Doing some simple things to look after yourself can really help you feel in control again. It’s pretty simple stuff, but eating well, sleeping enough, and keeping active make a big difference.
Here are some super basic tips on self-care:
– Exercise: Exercise will help lower anxiety through the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood elevators. Even a walk for 30 minutes will help.
– Eat well: Good food will help improve your mood and energy levels. Be sure to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or whatever foods you find work best for you.
– Sleep well: Sleep is very important for mental health. To that effect, try to get into a routine of sleeping at similar times each day, and set up pre-sleep rituals to create relaxation.
3. Keeping active with hobbies
Keeping yourself busy doing things you like will definitely keep your mind off of anxious thoughts. You just don’t have enough time for negativity when you’re busy, and you will probably find new talents for which you are capable.
Examples:
– Create some art if you are into painting.
– If reading is one of your hobbies, then get engrossed in a good book.
– Try new recipes if cooking makes you happy.
Hobbies will provide you with the sense of achievement, and at the same time, you will help yourself get a piece of you back again.
4. Social media is something you need to scale down.
Sometimes, social media can increase your anxiety even more, especially if there has been a breakup. Posts from your ex or photos of happy couples make you feel more anxious or lonely. Keep off social media when it hurts your mental health.
Instead of scrolling on your phone, you can spend time doing calming things like listening to music, meditating, or spending time with people you love. Your mental health comes first and it is okay to take a break from social media until you get better.
5. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
These techniques of mindfulness and relaxation can help you very much in fighting off the symptoms of anxiety. They will help you keep your base in the present moment, preventing redundant thoughts about your past or future.
How can this be done with mindfulness?
-Deep breathing exercises: Lie down comfortably on your back with your eyes closed and focus on breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, then hold your breath for a few seconds before exhaling slowly through your mouth. Do this a couple of times.
– Meditation: Take a few minutes daily to meditate. This will help in relaxing the mind, which in turn shall keep all your anxiety away.
-Yoga: Coupling the practice of yoga, including physical postures, with breathing exercises and meditation is a holistic way of dealing with the burden of stress and anxiety.
For instance, deep breathing at the height of anxiety can slow down racing thoughts and refocus onto a more reasonable perspective.
Conclusion:
Yes, overcoming anxiety right after a breakup is definitely not easy, though one must remind him/herself that healing does take time. Talking to someone, self-caring, keeping busy by engaging in hobbies, taking a break from social media, and being mindful are some of the things you would do to gradually regain control of your emotions.
Breakups form a part of life, and as much as they hurt, they give one the chance to grow up and love oneself. With time and the right strategies, you can get rid of this anxiety and move forward to a happy and healthy future.
Remember, don’t be afraid to reach out if things really start to get you down. Discussing it with a friend or seeking professional help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength in the presence of internal conflicts. Take good care of yourself, knowing that days will get better.
Read more from Searching Soulmate:
