The five stages of grief are: <ul><li>denial (inability to accept reality), </li><li>anger (physical tension, frustration, resentment), </li><li>bargaining (magical thinking, pleading to God), </li><li>depression (sadness, emptiness, guilt, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness),</li><li>acceptance. </li></ul>

Good Grief

Nothing good can come from looking at your ex’s Instagram stories or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/social-networking">Facebook</a> timeline. When it comes to social media, just say no.

Become Anti-Social (Media)

If you need additional help, therapy can be a wonderful resource to provide you with support and new tools to assist in letting go.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, for example, is a short-term treatment model with measurable goals that can teach you how to change unhelpful, negative automatic thoughts and maladaptive behaviors that stop you from moving on.

Find Therapy

It may be painful to recall what your ex said when things ended, but it is a necessary part of moving on. You need to accept the reality of why the relationship has ended so you can get past it.

Remember Why You Broke Up

Rediscover yourself by dating yourself.<ul><li>Set time aside to date yourself by scheduling it in. </li><li>Decide what you are going to do with that time. </li><li>Engage in dating prep. Why should you only spend time getting all dolled up for someone else?</li><li>Go on the date with mindful presence. Be open to the experience, and enjoy the moment.</li></ul>

Date Yourself

To manage the unpleasant sensations, thoughts, and feelings, try practicing deep breathing, body scans, meditation, and other mindful activities.  Allowing things to flow freely, without trying to control, stop, avoid, or manipulate them, will make them less powerful, loosens their grip on you, and gives you the confidence and skill you need to act in the face of them.

Try Mindfulness

Breaking up can trigger chemical, emotional and physical reactions that cause you to feel lonely, unloveable, depressed, and worthless.  Instead of pushing yourself to move forward quickly, take time to acknowledge how you are feeling. Your thoughts might be distorted, but your feelings are real. Take the time you need to explore them.

Take Your Time

"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" is not just a hit song from the 1960s-it is a fact. Anyone who has gone through a breakup knows that a broken heart can be difficult to mend. This universal emotional response to the sudden, unexpected, or unwanted loss of love is often characterized by an intense longing, hurt, and/or desire for an ex or unrequited love.

Remember Why You Broke Up

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