How to mend a broken heart

Give yourself permission to grieve - The best thing you can do for yourself is to give yourself permission to feel all of your sadness, anger, loneliness, or guilt.

Limit or cut off contact - If it's possible to cut off contact with the person behind your heartbreak, do so.

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.

Avoid activities that remind you of them - If you've experienced a romantic heartbreak, avoid activities that remind you of your ex.

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.

Write down what you need - Sit down and make a list of what you need, including needs for tangible and emotional support.

Go outdoors - Research has found that spending just two hours a week outdoors can improve your mental and physical health.

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.

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.

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.

Foster new traditions - If you've ended a relationship or lost a loved one, you may feel like you've lost traditions and rituals.

Find a support system - Regularly attending or engaging in in-person or online support groups can be a safe space to help you cope.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.