Your Broken Heart
Can be Whole Again

• Try to understand that you are not alone.  Although you might feel that nobody in the world could possibly feel like you do, understand that this feeling is not unique.

• Some people find that sharing their feelings with someone they trust and recognizes what they're going through can help them feel better.

• That could mean talking over all the things you feel, even having a good cry on the shoulder of a comforting friend or family member.

• Others find they heal better if they hang out and do the things they normally enjoy, like seeing a movie or going to a concert, to take their minds off the hurt.

• Ok guys, we know that "sharing feelings" doesn't sound like something some of you can do.  But...you don't necessarily have to tell the football team or your wrestling coach what you're going through.

• Talk with a friend or family member, a teacher, or counselor. It might make you more comfortable if you find a female family member or friend, like an older sister or a neighbor, to talk to.

• Remember what's good about you. Sometimes people with broken hearts start to blame themselves for what's happened.

• They may be really down on themselves, exaggerating their faults as though they did something to deserve the unhappiness they're experiencing.

• If you find this happening to you, Stop It! Remind yourself of your good qualities.  Take good care of yourself. A broken heart can be very stressful so don't let the rest of your body get broken too.

• Get lots of sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly to minimize stress and depression and give your self-esteem a boost.

• Going through a break-up can be really tough, and getting some of those raw emotions out can be a big help.  Let it out!

• We know this is another tough one for guys, but there's no shame in crying now and then.

• No one has to see you do it — you don't have to start blubbering in class or at soccer practice or anything.

• Do the things you normally enjoy. Whether it's seeing a movie or going to a concert, do something fun to take your mind off the negative feelings for a while.

• This might be a great time to redecorate your room or try a new hobby.

• This doesn't mean you shouldn't think about what happened...working things through in our minds is all part of the healing process.  But you should focus on other things too.

• It takes time for sadness to go away. Almost everyone thinks they won't feel normal again, but the human spirit is amazing — and the heartbreak almost always heals after a while.

• Sometimes the sadness is so deep — or lasts so long — that a person may need some extra support.

• For someone who isn't starting to feel better after a few weeks or who continues to feel depressed, talking to a counselor or therapist can be very helpful.

• So be patient with yourself, and let the healing begin.