Heartbreak ~

   Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog I'm Averi and today I want to talk about heartbreak, yes you heard me right...heartbreak in the month of chocolates and flowers and full of love.

Well friends for some of us this month might not be full of flowers or chocolates or, even love. 

Some of you may be single, going through a breakup or possibly have lost recently lost a partner due to illness, divorce, etc.

 - whatever you're experiencing it is real. It is okay to feel that way, it will get better.

How To Heal After a Broken Heart:

If you have the capacity to love, then you also have the capacity to be hurt. In fact, anytime you open yourself up to love, you risk getting a broken heart. Heartbreak can hit suddenly and with a lot of force. It is possible to experience heartbreak and then find healing afterward, trust me it can be hard to put into words what a broken heart feels like. Entity explains it well:

"Heartbreak is the overwhelming distress you feel after a [romantic relationship or friendship] ends. It can make someone feel depressed or like they don't have the energy for their normal routine. And in serious cases, it can even make someone feel like they don't want to live anymore at all".

The emotional intensity of your heartbreak can and probably will vary from day to day. But some days and seasons are more overwhelming than others. If you experience any of the following, you should get support, and help to lessen the strain of your emotional pain.

*Depression, anxiety, or any other signs of mental distress

*Feeling such pain that you harm yourself (or think about doing so)

*Thoughts or plans of suicide 

*Isolation from friends, family, or activities you once loved

This list of feelings is by no means exhaustive. The way you experience a broken heart depends on the type of pain you're feeling. If a breakup has left you feeling despair, you may have different emotional struggles from someone who is brokenhearted from grieving after a loss.

Heartbreak and The Body:

your body also feels the effects of heartbreak. Because it thinks you're in physical pain, you're body releases lots of stress hormones. Sometimes you feel tired without reason, or perhaps you lose your appetite, yup that's those stress hormones. 

You may feel excessive tension or numbness. Crying is normal. But be on the lookout for crying spells out of nowhere. If your heartbreak makes you feel ill, or causes you physical pain, it's another sign you need to get help. 

Help For Your Heartbreak:

There's no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed, or even regretful of your heartbreak. The painful situation that caused was real and legitimate, and so are the emotions you do battle with. But you're not alone - and healing your heart is possible.

It begins with knowing, since knowing is you're being. Once you know the source of your pain then you can make a practical plan with people you trust to care for the needs that have unmet since your heartbreak. This spiritual, physical, and emotional Self Care will be instrumental in helping you move forward in healing. 

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve or worsen, or if you have severe depression or crying spells you cannot control. Depending on the severity of depression after a breakup, your doctor may recommend counseling or psychotherapy to help you cope with your heartbreak, especially if you've had suicidal thoughts. 

Ways to cope with heartbreak that doesn't involve the help of a professional include: 

*Exercise | Physical activity can strengthen your immune system and boost your energy, Exercise also increases your body's production of endorphins, which can improve your mood, Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week.

*Keep Busy | Explore hobbies and keep your mind occupied. If you're feeling depressed read a book, go for a walk, or start a project around the house. 

*Get plenty of shut eye | Getting plenty of sleep can also improve your mental well-being and help you cope after a breakup. 

*Herbal and natural remedies | If you don't want to take a prescription medication, ask your doctor about supplements used for depression, such as St. John's Wort S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe and omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils. Some supplements can't be combined with prescription medication, so make sure to consult with your prescribing physician beforehand. You can also explore alternative therapies for depression, such as acupuncture, massage therapy and meditation.

Getting Support After a Breakup:

Getting support through a breakup is easier when you receive support from family and friends. You don't have to go through this alone, so surround yourself with positive people who encourage you. If you're feeling lonely or scared, call or text a loved one and make social plans, if you aren't a social creature, but you're still feeling lonely call or text a loved one to check in or plan a zoom call. 

Avoid negative people who may judge or criticize you. This can worsen depression and make it harder for you to heal after a breakup. 

You can also fight loneliness and depression after a breakup by cultivating new friendships and reconnecting with old friends. Get together with a few co-workers for lunch or dinner, or get involved in your community to meet new people. Join a club, take a class, or volunteer in your spare time. 

Even if your depression isn't severe enough for psychotherapy. It may be helpful to join a support group. Look for breakup and divorce support groups near your home, or choose a support group for mental illness and depression. You'll most likely meet people who've gone through the same experience or are going through similar experiences, plus learn techniques to cope with your emotions.

Love Hurts... even the loveliest of love hurts. All love stories have their fair share of ugly in them. There is no such thing as a happy ending, and if you can find someone who you can put up with until the day you both check out then you are seriously one of the luckiest humans alive. I hope with my whole being that I have been able to help someone today with this advice or these words, I know your pain is immense but so is your strength. Stand tall, until next time. 

Suicide Prevention

if you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

*Call 911 or your local emergency number 

*Stay with the person until help arrives 

*Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm

*Listen, but don't judge, argue, threaten or yell

If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or a suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255

Please take good care of yourselves, and each other. 

Cheers

Averi