Effects of a Breakup Few People Talk About

Advice about handling a divorce or split from a long term partner often centres around the emotional side, but some experts forget to take into account how we should cope with the physical side effects of a break up.

Frightening Changes

It can be quite simply frightening to have to go through the bodily changes that can happen during such a traumatic event. Trying to put a brave face on things, especially if there are children involved, can put immense strain on the body and cause medical problems that come as a shock or embarrassment, to those of us who are used to our bodies functioning without a hitch.

Allowing yourself to get run down while you deal with the emotional trauma is the worst thing you can do, however. As your body gets weaker through not enough sleep and erratic eating, a worrying set of symptoms can develop that will not help your emotional recovery in the slightest.

Tracey split with Alan after five years and found that not only did she have to organise a house move and her financial affairs, but also a series of medical appointments as she got more and more unwell.

Physical Symptoms

Stomach upsets, hot sweats and dizziness, ulcers and cold sores, weak nails and even hair loss all paid her a visit. As someone who prided herself on a healthy lifestyle, she found this constant ill health added yet more worry to an already unpleasant situation.

Many if not all of these symptoms are the result of extreme stress and while there’s little you can do to avoid this, there are ways to make it less physically taxing.

As time heals (which it does despite your current feelings), it mends not only your mind but your body too, but in the beginning the symptoms you may experience can be really confusing, especially when the physical aspects of stress aren’t often discussed.

Conquering Illness

Here are some other ways to look after your health so you can better deal with the emotional side of a break up:

• Make sure you get out the house every day: walk the dog (or someone else’s), go horse riding, walk the beach, change the scenery. Try to spend as little time alone as possible.
• Practice self hypnosis: whenever your emotions get in the way of sleep or relaxation, make your mind visit a favourite relaxing spot and let your thoughts wander through that beautiful garden, holiday visit or wherever you feel truly happy. Every time you practice this you will be able to lengthen your time out.
• Cut right back on caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, which all alter your body’s ability to cope with stress and get advice on a diet rich in vitamin’s B and C for your nervous and immune systems