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See Also
See Again
Love hurts: the ways in which heartbreak affects you physically - Heartbreak is emotionally devastating, but it is also physically painful. Learn why you experience physical pain and the ways in which heartbreak affects you in the following images.
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Physical pain - Physical and emotional pain both activate the same area of the brain. Essentially, even though the pain is not technically physical in nature, your brain is telling your body that it is real.
© iStock
1 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Various parts of your body can be affected by the heartbreak. You may experience stomach cramps, nausea, and headaches.
© iStock
2 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Chest pain is another common experience, and is often the result of emotional stress and stress-induced reactions.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Your eyes may become puffy after crying spells. This is because emotional tears are less salty.
© iStock
4 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts
- Skin issues, including eczema and acne, may flare up in response to stress hormones.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Withdrawal - Love can be as addicting as drugs, creating a plethora of happy chemicals in the brain. When it's suddenly gone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
© iStock
6 / 29 Fotos
Stress hormones - Stress hormones can wreak havoc on your body. Not only are they felt in the form of indigestion, cramping, or stomach pain, they can also leave your immune system more sensitive.
© iStock
7 / 29 Fotos
Immune system - A weakened immune system can make you more susceptible to viruses and bacteria that can cause various illnesses.
© iStock
8 / 29 Fotos
Insomnia - Not being able to get to sleep at night is another common symptom of heartbreak. While your body may feel exhausted, your mind races, replaying old scenarios and fantasizing about new ones.
© iStock
9 / 29 Fotos
Weight loss
- Everyone reacts to grief in different ways. The stress hormones associated with heartbreak can suppress appetite and make you feel physically ill after eating.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Weight gain
- On the flip side, you may gain weight as the result of a desire to binge eat, either for comfort or distraction.
Keep clicking through to learn how to combat this.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Brain effects - Emotional distress can slow down the brain and make you feel confused or unfocused, according to Bolde.
© iStock
12 / 29 Fotos
Brain effects - Our sense of identity can also become distorted after a breakup as we tend to incorporate the relationship into our self concept and define ourselves as part of a pair, as explored on The Cut.
© iStock
13 / 29 Fotos
Lack of motivation - You may find it difficult to get through the daily tasks that defined your life prior to the breakup, primarily when it comes to self care. It may be challenging to eat, exercise, or even shower properly.
© iStock
14 / 29 Fotos
Hair loss - Hair loss can be a common symptom also associated with heartbreak, as it is linked to effects of stress.
© iStock
15 / 29 Fotos
Fatal heartbreak? - In some cases, people have been known to die from heartbreak, as outlined on the Daily Mail.
© iStock
16 / 29 Fotos
Fatal heartbreak?
- Not only does it make you more susceptible to potentially fatal illnesses, it raises your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing cardiovascular risks.
© iStock
17 / 29 Fotos
Time to heal - While heartbreak is incredibly painful and debilitating, the mourning process can be helped by choosing to prioritize yourself and your happiness. Try incorporating the following activities into your lifestyle to help you heal and move forward with your life.
© iStock
18 / 29 Fotos
Diary - An outlet for negative emotions can be extremely effective. Diaries help, for example, to process bad experiences and feelings. They also show the progress of the healing process.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Exercise - Physical activity releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that go a long way in boosting mood.
© iStock
20 / 29 Fotos
Exercise - Literally working out your grief can also provide you with the sensation that you are taking back control of your life and your emotions.
© iStock
21 / 29 Fotos
Try something new - It can be helpful to create something new for yourself in place of your recent loss. Embarking on a new activity, such as an art or cooking class, not only helps you connect with others, it can give you a fresh start.
© iStock
22 / 29 Fotos
Counseling - In some cases, it may be worthwhile to find a counselor for support as you work through your feelings and experiences. They can help you process your heartbreak and reframe negative thought patterns.
© iStock
23 / 29 Fotos
Help others - According to Psychology Today, focusing on others who are suffering or struggling can distract you from your own pain and temporarily relieve you of it.
© iStock
24 / 29 Fotos
Nutritious food - Challenge your body's urges to eat food that's high in fat and sugar or to not eat at all, and choose healthy, nutritious food instead. Your body will be running at full potential, which will help you feel good as you move forward.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Loved ones - Although you may feel like being alone and wallowing in your grief, periods of grief can be isolating, so make sure to lean on family and friends during this time.
© iStock
26 / 29 Fotos
Cry - Don't hold back your tears. Biochemist Dr. William H. Frey found that emotional tears contain toxic biochemical byproducts created by stress that, when released, ease emotional distress.
© iStock
27 / 29 Fotos
Mindfulness
- Practicing mindfulness can be a helpful coping mechanism. A meditation and self-reflection regimen can help ground you and shift your perspective. See also: Famous women on the power of being alone
© iStock
28 / 29 Fotos
Love hurts: the ways in which heartbreak affects you physically - Heartbreak is emotionally devastating, but it is also physically painful. Learn why you experience physical pain and the ways in which heartbreak affects you in the following images.
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Physical pain - Physical and emotional pain both activate the same area of the brain. Essentially, even though the pain is not technically physical in nature, your brain is telling your body that it is real.
© iStock
1 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Various parts of your body can be affected by the heartbreak. You may experience stomach cramps, nausea, and headaches.
© iStock
2 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Chest pain is another common experience, and is often the result of emotional stress and stress-induced reactions.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts - Your eyes may become puffy after crying spells. This is because emotional tears are less salty.
© iStock
4 / 29 Fotos
Specific body parts
- Skin issues, including eczema and acne, may flare up in response to stress hormones.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Withdrawal - Love can be as addicting as drugs, creating a plethora of happy chemicals in the brain. When it's suddenly gone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
© iStock
6 / 29 Fotos
Stress hormones - Stress hormones can wreak havoc on your body. Not only are they felt in the form of indigestion, cramping, or stomach pain, they can also leave your immune system more sensitive.
© iStock
7 / 29 Fotos
Immune system - A weakened immune system can make you more susceptible to viruses and bacteria that can cause various illnesses.
© iStock
8 / 29 Fotos
Insomnia - Not being able to get to sleep at night is another common symptom of heartbreak. While your body may feel exhausted, your mind races, replaying old scenarios and fantasizing about new ones.
© iStock
9 / 29 Fotos
Weight loss
- Everyone reacts to grief in different ways. The stress hormones associated with heartbreak can suppress appetite and make you feel physically ill after eating.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Weight gain
- On the flip side, you may gain weight as the result of a desire to binge eat, either for comfort or distraction.
Keep clicking through to learn how to combat this.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Brain effects - Emotional distress can slow down the brain and make you feel confused or unfocused, according to Bolde.
© iStock
12 / 29 Fotos
Brain effects - Our sense of identity can also become distorted after a breakup as we tend to incorporate the relationship into our self concept and define ourselves as part of a pair, as explored on The Cut.
© iStock
13 / 29 Fotos
Lack of motivation - You may find it difficult to get through the daily tasks that defined your life prior to the breakup, primarily when it comes to self care. It may be challenging to eat, exercise, or even shower properly.
© iStock
14 / 29 Fotos
Hair loss - Hair loss can be a common symptom also associated with heartbreak, as it is linked to effects of stress.
© iStock
15 / 29 Fotos
Fatal heartbreak? - In some cases, people have been known to die from heartbreak, as outlined on the Daily Mail.
© iStock
16 / 29 Fotos
Fatal heartbreak?
- Not only does it make you more susceptible to potentially fatal illnesses, it raises your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing cardiovascular risks.
© iStock
17 / 29 Fotos
Time to heal - While heartbreak is incredibly painful and debilitating, the mourning process can be helped by choosing to prioritize yourself and your happiness. Try incorporating the following activities into your lifestyle to help you heal and move forward with your life.
© iStock
18 / 29 Fotos
Diary - An outlet for negative emotions can be extremely effective. Diaries help, for example, to process bad experiences and feelings. They also show the progress of the healing process.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Exercise - Physical activity releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that go a long way in boosting mood.
© iStock
20 / 29 Fotos
Exercise - Literally working out your grief can also provide you with the sensation that you are taking back control of your life and your emotions.
© iStock
21 / 29 Fotos
Try something new - It can be helpful to create something new for yourself in place of your recent loss. Embarking on a new activity, such as an art or cooking class, not only helps you connect with others, it can give you a fresh start.
© iStock
22 / 29 Fotos
Counseling - In some cases, it may be worthwhile to find a counselor for support as you work through your feelings and experiences. They can help you process your heartbreak and reframe negative thought patterns.
© iStock
23 / 29 Fotos
Help others - According to Psychology Today, focusing on others who are suffering or struggling can distract you from your own pain and temporarily relieve you of it.
© iStock
24 / 29 Fotos
Nutritious food - Challenge your body's urges to eat food that's high in fat and sugar or to not eat at all, and choose healthy, nutritious food instead. Your body will be running at full potential, which will help you feel good as you move forward.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Loved ones - Although you may feel like being alone and wallowing in your grief, periods of grief can be isolating, so make sure to lean on family and friends during this time.
© iStock
26 / 29 Fotos
Cry - Don't hold back your tears. Biochemist Dr. William H. Frey found that emotional tears contain toxic biochemical byproducts created by stress that, when released, ease emotional distress.
© iStock
27 / 29 Fotos
Mindfulness
- Practicing mindfulness can be a helpful coping mechanism. A meditation and self-reflection regimen can help ground you and shift your perspective. See also: Famous women on the power of being alone
© iStock
28 / 29 Fotos
Love hurts: the ways in which heartbreak affects you physically
The science of heartbreak
© Shutterstock
If you've ever had your heart broken, you're familiar with the sensation of feeling your entire world collapse and the debilitating pain that comes with it. Heartbreak can deeply affect us in many ways, including physically. Discover the impact heartbreak has on your body and learn some tried and true methods for healing your pain in the following gallery!
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