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Give yourself permission to grieve -

Grief isn't the same for everyone. The best thing you can do for yourself is to give yourself permission to feel all of your sadness, anger, loneliness, or guilt.

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Limit or cut off contact -

If it's possible to cut off contact with the person behind your heartbreak, do so. This includes no texting, no calling, and no interacting on social media.

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Don't get stuck in the past -

We all tend to look back on our lives and relationships by focusing on the positive memories, and they can often play on an endless loop in our minds. Try not to lose perspective by only looking at the past.

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Avoid activities that remind you of them -

If you've experienced a romantic heartbreak, avoid activities that remind you of your ex. Consider staying away from certain places or listening to certain music, at least for a little while.

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Take care of yourself -

When you’re in the middle of a heartbreak, it’s easy to forget to take care of your personal needs. Take it slow, and take it one day at a time.

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Let people know what you need -

Getting your needs out there will allow someone who wants to be supportive to truly help you. It will also save you time from constantly explaining yourself.

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Write down what you need -

Sit down and make a list of what you need, including needs for tangible and emotional support. This will help you keep things clear with yourself and with others.

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Go outdoors -

Research has found that spending just two hours a week outdoors can improve your mental and physical health. So even if it's just regular walks around the neighborhood, go for it!

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Read books and listen to podcasts -

Reading a book and listening to a podcast, especially about a situation similar to what you're going through, can provide you with validation and support. This can help you process your emotions.

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Try a feel-good activity -

Set aside time every day for doing something that feels good, whether that's meeting up with a friend, journaling, or watching your favorite TV show.

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Seek professional help -

It's important to talk about your feelings with others and not numb yourself out. And a neutral person, like a therapist, can help you develop some new coping tools.

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Don’t try to suppress the pain -

Don’t waste energy on feeling ashamed or guilty about your feelings. Instead, acknowledge them. By giving it some attention, you may find it popping up less.

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Practice self-compassion -

Self-compassion involves treating yourself with love and respect. Think of how you would treat a close friend or family member going through a hard time, and apply those answers to yourself.

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Create space in your schedule -

When you're going through a heartbreak, you often distract yourself with activities. While this can be good, make sure you're still leaving some time to process your feelings and have some downtime.

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Foster new traditions -

If you've ended a relationship or lost a loved one, you may feel like you've lost traditions and rituals. Allow friends and family to help you create new traditions and memories.

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Find a support system -

Regularly attending or engaging in in-person or online support groups can be a safe space to help you cope. It’s also healing to share your feelings with those in similar situations.

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List your strengths -

When you feel lonely and defeated, try to list your strengths. Doing this will help you boost your self-esteem and bring in some positive light.

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Laugh and cry it out -

Laughter heals on many levels, and so does crying. Research has shown that crying releases toxic substances and relieves emotional stress. So it's no wonder why you feel good afterwards!

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Help someone else -

When you turn your attention to another person or a cause, you forget about yourself for a split second. By doing something good for others, you're also doing so for yourself.

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Make a good and bad list -

You need to know which activities will make you feel good, and which ones will make your heartbreak feel worse. Writing it down on paper will help you see things more clearly.

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Work out -

Work out your heartbreak via running, biking, jogging, or any other exercise. It will give you immediate relief, as it boosts your mood.

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Create a new world -

Take this opportunity to try something new, such as swimming, an art class, or a book club. It will help to program your mind and body to expect a fresh beginning, without the person who left you heartbroken.

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Expect the unexpected -

As your heartbreak evolves, so will its intensity and frequency. At times, it will feel light, but some days can be really painful. Try not to judge how your emotions manifest.

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Find hope -

Hope is believing that the heartbreak can evaporate, and that the emptiness experienced isn't permanent.

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Get your life back in order -

Take care of your personal affairs. You still need to sort out your home, possessions, pets, and the social groups you both belonged to.

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Learn how to be alone again -

Have you ever been truly alone, or have you always found someone so that you wouldn’t be alone? Get to know who you are without anyone else.

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Don’t jump into a rebound relationship -

You may feel a sense of urgency about finding a new romantic partner. But if you don't take time to reflect on a relationship that has recently ended, you may end up repeating old patterns.

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Try again when you're ready -

While you don’t have to rush it, you may begin to open up to the possibility of another relationship as time goes on. This can be scary, but do know that you're capable of being loved and love again.

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It’s okay to not be okay -

Even if you’re doing everything you can to work through your heartbreak, you’ll probably still have off days. Take them as they come, and remember that it's okay to not be okay. 

See also: How to survive your first Valentine's Day after a breakup

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