As the COVID-19 pandemic continues it appears that the upward trend of breakups is also set to continue. As a result of the numerous lockdowns, we have faced and continue to endure, many couples who live together have been forced to spend a significantly greater amount of time together.
Although this can be beneficial in some cases, for many it can be overwhelming and cause a significant strain on their relationship. Likewise, many couples who do not live together may not be able to meet up in person due to the tight restrictions which can be equally as straining.
Essentially, COVID-19 is making it harder for couples to find that perfect balance between being together and personal space which is unfortunately leading to more breakups. Due to this upward trend, I feel that there is no better time than to offer few different things that those affected by breakups in these times can do to help them cope.
Get Active
Exercising is certainly something that can help get a breakup off your mind. Engaging in strenuous activity helps us to alleviate stress whether it be work deadlines, a big exam or in this case a breakup. It allows the mind to drift elsewhere and helps stimulate the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine which boost our feelings of positivity. Personally, I have never once felt mentally worse off after exercising.
As many physical outlets such as gyms and sports clubs are currently closed due to pandemic restrictions, being active is not as easy anymore nor is it as easy to motivate yourself. However, there are still some great alternatives that can help you to stay active in your own home and get you through that breakup.
My personal favourite is YouTube workouts. YouTube workouts have grown massively in popularity during this global pandemic due to their flexibility. They are available for free and there is a large variety of choice to fit your personal situation. So, if you have no home equipment or are a beginner in the fitness world this will not hinder you whatsoever.
Credit: The Body Coach TV (YouTube)
Some channels that I would recommend you check out include:
Spend time with Friends
Like anything that we may be suffering from mentally it is important that we touch base with those closest around us and a breakup is no different. Talking and meeting up with friends can significantly lift your mood and help you to get over a breakup.
Unfortunately, in these times it is not always possible or wise to meet a group of friends physically. However, fun can still be had virtually through platforms such as Zoom which enable private meetings to be held that a group of friends can easily join. I have had plenty of these meetings with my friends over the course of lockdown and I can assure you that they have always left me with a smile on my face.
Credit: Zoom
You can also add fun twists to these meetings to make them more engaging and entertaining. One idea is to create a quiz for you and your friends to take during the call through apps such as Kahoot. Another idea that I would recommend is for you and your friends to play an online social deduction game called “Among Us” which is available on iOS, android, and pc. It will leave you and your friends dying with laughter as you try to figure out who is the “impostor”.
Kahoot: https://kahoot.com/
Among Us:
Google Play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.innersloth.spacemafia&hl=en_IE&gl=US
App Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/among-us/id1351168404
PC
https://innersloth.com/gameAmongUs.php
Listen to Music
By now you have probably heard Olivia Rodrigo’s hit single “Drivers License” about her own personal break up which has broken numerous streaming records including most streams (65,873,080) on Spotify in a single week.
However, this isn’t the first breakup song to do phenomenally well. For example, songs such as “Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake, “Since You’ve Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and “Be alright” by Dean Lewis have also gripped millions of listeners. There is a reason why this genre of songs have always done well historically. They are relatable and strike a chord with so many people. But how can these songs help you cope with a breakup?
You’re probably thinking that listening to these sad songs post breakup would only further dampen your mood, however this is surprisingly not the case. Researchers from Freie Universitat Berlin found that listening to these types of songs in the aftermath of a breakup actually stimulates a positive cognitive response which gives us both pleasure and reduces our feelings of loneliness. So maybe this is a sign that you should plug in your earphones and wonder why you got your drivers license.
If you have any thoughts or tips please feel free to drop a comment below