After reading this
article, it made me feel a whole lot better. So apparently, there is a scientific reason for us feeling like crap after a break up. Here I thought it was because he told me he was gay and decided to run off with his therapist.
According to the
article, it's our brain that's doing all the feeling and not so much our heart.
"Since the two of you split up, your head has felt like a helium balloon about to burst. A family of squirrels seems to have moved into your stomach, your heart feels as if it's clamped in a vise, and though you've emptied a bottle of the natural sleep aid melatonin, you haven't caught a wink all week. No question about it: Losing your one-and-only is a bitch. But stop clutching your chest—the real pain is coming from inside your head. If you think you hate being dumped, your brain hates it even more. The region of it that lights up when you're in physical agony also goes haywire when you suffer social rejection, says Naomi Eisenberger, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles—evidence, she says, that your head is signaling to your body that being dumped actually hurts."So for all the girls out there who's clutching their heart not knowing what to do? Call up some friends for a night of booze. Not feeling strong enough to get our of your jammies? Swing by a liquor store and buy yourself a bottle of Jack and have a party. After half a bottle I guarantee your brain won't be sending anymore pain messages to your heart.
Cheers!
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Comments (41)
looks like i need a drink.
Yup
this sounds like a recipe for soon to be alcoholics!
um...I thought it was known that heart is only metaphorical for love. But if not, then...yeah...drowning your brain in alcohol is actually a working method lol
I prefer vodka but this post made me feel less alone.
Actually the social rejection thing hitting the agony centers does more than shed light on break ups, it probably correlates to teen suicides and cutting in response to social rejection in high school. Interesting.
i knew to hit the booze before reading this, but now i can do it guilt-free
Alright then I can go drink myself to death wheeee! But yea I read the article, pretty interesting and I think it's quite true with the whole hormones during a relationship in your brain and the lack thereof after the breakup....
Anyways take care!
How dumb. Drinking never solves anything.
Everytime I drink after a break up I just end up as more of a mess... Crying, calling him, etc. After my recent break-up I didn't drink at all. I just continued on doing what I was doing, cried in private, and have been talking a whole lot (and writing about it on here). Exercise also helps me a lot. My LAST breakup (before this one) I drank a lot and it did not turn out pretty. Being drunk + emotional + living in the same building = the perfect combination for disaster.
Also, I can't read that article because the section has the word "sex" in it :( Stupid websense...
@sunraycatcher@xanga - You've obviously never done it properly.
LUL GOOD ADVICE.
I only drink when I'm in a good mood. I wouldn't want to waste booze to perpetuate a bad one.
@mcmeister89@mancouch - loll agree.
Great article !
@sunraycatcher@xanga - agreed, it only leads to more problems.
Works temporarily, yeah
I prefer exercise. It gives you endorphins and is better for you in the long run. I walked 3-5 miles a day when I broke up with my first love. Plus by dr's orders I'm not allowed to drink alcohol.
eh i wouldtn encourage alcohol..
singing releases endorphins so blast the stereo adn start singing and dancing w/ some friends
yeahh, pretty sure alcohol is not the best source to turn to for comfort.
@everlastte@xanga - i agree! working out is the best stress reliever. - and it kills two birds with one stone! you release endorphins, which causes a better state of mind, and you feel confident! (which is always a must when you are ready to get back into the dating world.)
Are you fucking kidding me? Of course it's not your literal heart. "Heartbreak" is an obvious metaphor.
Alcohol is a terrible solution.
This post is dumb.
hahaha, that's lovely advice!
Where's the damned like button?
Though I much prefer weed over alcohol.
When do you stop the drinking? For the hurt will be there when you are finished with the booze.
There's got to be a better way!
Christy