Your Post-Breakup Body: 5 Ways to Deal with the Pain

Heartache is named so for a reason. If you’ve ever experienced physical pain post-breakup, you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not alone.

Heartbreak actually sets off complex chemical reactions in your body that translate emotional pain into physical pain. Headaches, nausea, insomnia, and exhaustion are just a few of the ways trauma from a breakup can manifest in the physical body. As if the mental pain wasn’t bad enough.

As breakup season draws near, we want to equip you with five holistic tools you can use to help you recover from heartbreak and come back even stronger. Since energy flows where attention goes, it’s important to make an active effort to practice mindfulness by sitting with and working through your heartbreak in order to fully heal.

Here are 5 Ways to Heal Post-Breakup Pain:

1. Get on Your Yoga Mat

Trauma creates energetic wounds in the nervous system, and yoga is a great way to gently introduce movement back into the body to repair internal damage as well as treat physical pain. We have tons of free yoga resources right here for you to check out.

Breathwork is also essential to repairing internal damage that manifests physically. Doing the Breath of Fire breathing method (you can learn how to do this in our article here) daily for as long as it takes to feel strong again. For me, I begin to notice the effects of breathwork after only about 15 minutes of Breath of Fire. When you control your breathing, your send signals to your brain (and consequently to your body) that you are calm, at peace, and in no danger. This will allow you more clarity and mental space for healing.

Getting on your yoga mat for at least 10 minutes daily to stretch and breathe will allow you the space to observe and work through your emotions while engaging your body. Strengthening your core can help rebuild your confidence after the heavy blow of a breakup because it strengthens your solar plexus chakra. The health of the spine will also is also integral to clear blockages of harmful energy in your heart chakra.

2. Mood-Boosting Herbs & Supplements

Nature has many gifts that can help us counter the physical effects of anxiety and depression. 

Valerian is an herb which can help reduce anxiety that can come from a compromised nervous system. Valerian is often used to help with alcohol and drug addiction withdrawal and offers you a relaxed feeling. Kava kava also has a sedative effect that can help your mind find peace. 

Finally, if you feel no motivation and feel like your mind is going over negative things in your mind, try St. John’s Wort, a natural herb used for depression.

3. Nurture Your Body Through Your Diet

Through making some simple dietary changes, you can nurture your physical body to combat post-breakup fatigue and prevent nausea. Redefine your idea of comfort food by introducing more plants and superfoods into your diet.

Cooking a warm meal from scratch with garlic, ginger, and delicious spices is a great way to practice mindfulness and will remind you of your ability to care for yourself. Preparing a recipe you’ve never made before might give your mind a nice distraction as you focus in on something besides the breakup.

And, of course, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. It can be difficult to eat right after a breakup, so it’s more important now than ever to stay hydrated.

4. Try CBD to Manage Anxiety

Many people have reported they use CBD for anxiety and depression with great success. Instead of turning to medications or other mood-altering substances for relief, it may be worth your while to give CBD a try.

This non-psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant helps harmonize your body and mind. It’s a well-being promotor and reduces your stress levels naturally. CBD interacts with your body in only positive ways as it is non-addictive and doesn’t make you high. Upset stomachs or chest pain can both be combated using this amazing compound. Check out our Comprehensive Guide to CBD which will answer a lot your questions about how to get CBD, what its effects are, and the many ways it can help you.

5. Meditation for Improved Sleep

Use this meditation to help yourself if you have trouble sleeping post-breakup (a common issue). Mediation can help your body relax so that you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 

Start by breathing deeply and slowly, in and out of your nose. Then start to envision positive colours entering your body as you breathe in and negative colours leaving your body as you breathe out. Imagine these positive colours filling your body. Feel yourself melt onto your bed as colour spreads to every nook and cranny of your brain, your shoulders, your back, your stomach, arms, and legs. Finally, as you continue breathing slowly and deliberately, mentally repeat the mantra, “good things are coming” as you fall asleep.

Concluding Thoughts…

It’s not just you - breakups hurt. Physically and mentally. You are allowed to take time out for yourself to process your feelings and to heal.

While it’s difficult, try to focus on how the breakup could actually be a good step in your life. What did you learn about yourself that you can use to make yourself and your relationships better? There are new ways people are looking at breakups, such as those who call them ‘conscious uncouplings’ and others who throw breakup parties to celebrate their new freedom.

Above all, don’t isolate yourself after a breakup. Seek out your support group and positive loving, environments. Don’t force your feelings down if you need to release them. Take care of yourself, and let yourself be taken care of. Time will pass, and you will heal.

Related Article: Negative Attitude Detox: Change Your Perspective in 10 Days