Helpful Tips on Mending a Broken Heart

It's never easy to mend a broken heart, especially if you have truly loved a person. I've had the same experience then. In retrospect, the split of my 2-year romantic relationship was a jolt to me. Back then, it felt as though I wanted to wake up from a horrific dream; however, reality caught up with me-- I was not even dreaming. After a break-up, how do you pick-up the pieces of your broken heart and continue living? Here are some helpful tips for those who might be in the same predicament as I was then.

Mourn.

It's okay to grieve for a love lost. Accepting that the relationship did not work out may be the initial step to healing. Feel the pain; shed much tears, then stop and accept the fact that it is over.

Vent out your emotions through a creative activity.

After a broken heart, residues of pent-up emotions will still remain in your heart. Do an imaginative or creative endeavor that would start purging the feelings: the love, the pain, the anger. Way back, I wrote "fake" letters to my ex-boyfriend, which I never really intended to give. The activity was just meant for catharsis. Writing journals may be a good activity. If you are not into writing, find an activity where you can express yourself creatively and keep yourself preoccupied.

Be around people.

Be around friends. This is the moment when you will need the support, love and understanding of friends and loved ones.

Step out into the sunshine!

Have fun! Go out with buddies--shop, go to the beach, watch a flick, hang-out, but since the wounds are still fresh, don't go to places that will stir memories of the past relationship.

Stop reliving memories.

After a break-up, one has the tendency to relive the memories by looking at souvenirs. Keep them in a box and don't look at them while you are still striving to mend your broken heart.

Love yourself more.

Re-evaluate your self-perception. Identify your good qualities; a healthy self-respect will hasten your recovery.

Talk to God.

Tell Him how much you had been hurt and ask Him the grace to forgive the person who has wronged you. Praying has a healing property that it is difficult to explain, but it works.

Initially, it is going to be difficult to mend a broken heart, but one has to start off somewhere. Have courage and keep in mind that time erases all wounds.