Do mourn. Let yourself feel the emotions of breaking up, but don’t go overboard. Give yourself a limit to your sorrows, like, ten minutes of crying every day for a week, then end it. The longer you sit around and feel sorry for yourself, the longer it’ll take to get over it.

Do accept that the relationship is over. Don’t sit alone wondering if you’ll ever get back together, or what could have been if you hadn’t broken up. Just let it be, and remember that there is someone better out there. The faster you let him or her go, the faster you can get back to your regular routine, using your time and energy for more important things.

Do talk to your friends. They are there to listen and support you. By surrounding yourself with people you care about, your mind is taken off the relationship. After awhile, though, try to keep his or her name out of conversation; this will help you forget what happened, and will also give your friends a nice break from the usual “Why did it end?” talk.

Do learn from it. Take time to think about what could have caused the relationship to end. Try to use the experience as a guide to what not to do in the future.

Don’t let yourself become the obsessive ex. Avoid driving by their house on your way home, calling and hanging up, going to their workplace, or keying their new boyfriend or girlfriend’s car (No matter how bad you want to).

Do get rid of the stuff they left lying around your apartment. Whether it is dried flowers from your one-month anniversary, or an old tee shirt left behind one night, get rid of it. The more you look back at their stuff, the bigger the possibility of wanting them back.

Don’t blame yourself (or the other person, for that matter). These things happen every day, and you have to realize that it is nobody’s fault.

Do make a list of your favorite things to do, then go out and do them, alone or with friends. This will remind you of how much fun you can have without a significant other.

Do enjoy being single! This is your chance to go out and meet new people, date, and start fresh.

Don’t jump into bed. A problem many people are guilty of is rebound. Thinking that by sleeping with someone new will rid you of your feelings for your ex is not the approach that should be taken. Although dating can be a lot of fun, and also helpful in getting over your ex, don’t go to extremes. Jumping into a sexual relationship can be regretful and dangerous.

Tracy Tallman
Living Well Columnist

This column is devoted to delivering info that'll keep you living better, naturally, and healthy.

Questions? Feel free at tracy@enliv.com

Ten things to help rid yourself of your ex:

10. Relax at a beach or local park.
9. Volunteer for your favorite organization.
8. Pick up a new hobby.
7. Call that cutie that you met last weekend.
6. Write about it. One of the best ways to rid yourself of mourning is to get it all out on paper and out of your head.
5. Walk your dog. Don’t have a dog? Walk your ferret and start a new trend.
4. Bake cookies for Mom.
3. Take a risk. (Not the kind that involves bridge jumping, but the kind that involves calling your high school sweetheart.)
2. Get back into touch with old friends and have lunch together.
1. Start a new workout routine, and stick to it.