How to Ease your Aching Heart

If your heart aches and you want it to stop RIGHT NOW, there are some things you can do to speed the process up. It's going to take a while, however, so take small, easy steps. The aches really do go away, I promise you.

Have a Little Fun

It's important not to go overboard with this one, but it can help you feel better at the beginning of your grieving period. Go on a small shopping spree, eat a carton of ice cream, and stay in bed watching movies for a day. Choose a week where you do whatever you want, then stop.

Keep in mind while you're doing all this is that while you're fortifying yourself and having a little fun, your mind is healing some of the heartbreak you've been carrying around with you. A little distraction, a lot of laughter, and as much fun as you can muster is the key to indulging correctly.

Get Physical

Inactivity is the worst thing you can do when you're sad, so get active and eat like you know you should. If you're overweight, set a poundage loss goal. If you're not interested in weight loss, set a miles-run or weight-lifted goal. You can grab a challenging workout video or take a walk. It doesn't matter what you do, just that you start doing it. If all else fails, turn on some upbeat music and just dance.

Activity does two things for you. 1) It will get the endorphins in your brain flowing (which will make you feel better even faster than a mountain of chocolate will), and 2) It gives you something to focus on. Keeping your mind busy is crucial!

Most of the pain of heartbreak comes from thinking about it over and over again like a broken record. If you can shift your focus onto your diet and exercise program, even just for a few minutes a day, it will help speed up the recovery process.

Get Thinking

Another great way to shift your focus from your heart is to get your noggin joggin'. Learn something. Whatever interests you. You don't have to pick up a college level algebra textbook if you don't want to. Scan through your favorite subject.

Try taking an art class, or just picking up a sketch pad and pencil and start drawing. Write a story or an essay and try to get it published. Design a house on paper. Learn to do your own taxes. Study acting, poetry, or music. You can find anything you want, if you'll just look!

You can also get creative with your home decorations. Try out some new wallpaper, get some new pillows, or get crafty with your wall decorations. It's always fun to have something new to look at, isn't it?

Whatever your favorite subject might be, you can find mountains of information at your local library that costs you zilch. Amazon.com has books on every subject for very low prices. The important thing is to keep your brain moving.

Get Started With a Pen and a Page

Dust off your old notebook and just start writing words. If you want to write about your heartbreak, go right ahead. If you want to write about your boss, your cat, your sister, your hair stylist, or the new peppermint plant you got or whatever it might be, get writing.

Writing is a way to let your feelings out in a very private place. It doesn't need to be public knowledge. It's just for you. And getting things out on paper will help you analyze what you're thinking and feeling as if it were a friend listening to you.

Summary

The key to speeding up the heartbreak recovery process is to stay in motion. Don't mope, it doesn't do you or anyone else any good. As you stay moving and keep your mind and body active, things will get a little easier each day. Most importantly of all, give yourself time. Time heals all wounds.