9 Tips to Get Over Your Ex

Key wellness/self-care & productivity strategies to get over your ex

1) Cut off contact (at least temporarily)

• Avoid keeping tabs on your ex.
• If needed, ask for space even if you were on “friendly” terms.
• Reduce triggers by unfollowing/muting them on social media.

2) Take up a new hobby

• Use your new single time to reconnect with yourself.
• Try something you’ve always wanted to do to rebuild self-esteem and independence.
• Examples mentioned: classes, painting, gardening, sports, book clubs, theater, puzzles.

3) Pamper yourself & take rest

• Indulge in comfort activities (e.g., junk food, sappy movies) as a short-term morale booster.
• Take a vacation or a weekend break.
• Do a spa day to reset from daily stress and breakup loss.

4) Be real with yourself (reflect, don’t rewrite history)

• Reflect on the relationship and what led to the breakup.
• Remember there may have been real problems and possible incompatibility—and that the breakup may have been the healthiest outcome.

5) Vent to your loved ones

• Lean on a support system when you feel angry or hurt.
• Talking about feelings can help reduce the intensity of negative emotions.

6) Listen to sad music (for catharsis)

• Let sad songs validate your emotions and help you feel less alone.
• The video notes research suggesting sad music can lead to peacefulness, promote crying (catharsis), and improve mood.

7) Accept the past—but don’t let it consume you

• If the breakup wasn’t amicable, it’s normal to grieve and feel regret/hostility.
• Don’t let grudges become your identity—holding resentment can worsen depression/anxiety and hurt future relationships.
• Practice forgiveness (for your ex and yourself) and move forward.

8) It’s okay to still love them

• Love doesn’t have to mean the relationship should continue.
• Recognize that breaking up can be a form of caring if it’s what’s best for both people.

9) Feel good about a rebound (but heal first)

• The video cites a study (2014) that people who rebounded after a breakup reported better well-being than those who stayed single for long periods.
• Timing note: rebounds in that study happened around seven months after the breakup.
• Stay open to new possibilities, but don’t rush—heal first.

---

Presenters / Sources

• Sources cited:
  • 2014 study (rebound relationships and well-being)
  • Research suggesting verbalizing feelings reduces negative emotion intensity
  • A recent study (sad songs can elicit peacefulness)