Getting over a broken heart is never easy. We speak to Los Angeles medical practitioner and media personality, Dr. Joseph Chambers who offers his top tips on how to overcome a break up
Can you die of a broken heart?” asks Chambers. “The short answer is yes, but man is it rare and it’s all got to do with hormones.” According to Chambers, when you’re in relationship nirvana, oxytocin and dopamine surge through your body. These are the so-called bliss hormones. They make you feel great. This goes on until you’re dumped. Then the stress hormones, epinephrine and cortisol surge, clogging up your arteries.
Rarely, this surge turns into a tsunami, and you end up with chest pain and shortness of breath – symptoms that are typical of a heart attack. But you’re not having a heart attack; this nightmare scenario is called Takotsubo syndrome, aka stress cardiomyopathy, aka stunned myocardium syndrome, and is exceedingly rare. In most of us, our hearts function normally but are still “broken” in their own unique way. Here are Dr. Chambers’ tips on surviving the “everyday-break-up” that’s not a “tsunami:”
One
Deal with the break up head on. It’s over. Accept that it’s over. Move on.
Two
No social media stalking. Checking your ex’s Facebook page every hour for morsels of info about what they’re up to will only prolong the agony. And be prepared for the inevitable status switch to “single.”
Three
Avoid old haunts that you went to as a couple or anything else that reminds you of him or her, at least for a little while. Otherwise you’re just rubbing salt in the wound.
Four
Avoid desperate texting, late night drunk dialing… Why? It doesn’t work.
Five
Above all, no drunk sexting. An unwanted sext is anti-erotic and is about as welcome as a fart in church.
Six
Nothing wrong with hitting the Haagen-Dazs or having a couple of beers – but I do mean a couple. Binging on beer or vodka shots or whatever won’t bring back your loved one.
Seven
Avoid losing your friends because you won’t shut up about your ex. There’s a fine line between healthy venting and obsessing about your ex to the point your friends want to break up with you. This is where professional therapists come in.
Eight
Finally, if the therapy’s not working, plus you feel weepy and a bit out of control, give yourself a break
