Experts suggest that going ‘no contact’ after a breakup is beneficial for mental health
Ever felt the heartache of a breakup?
In such a situation, you desperately seek a way to mend your shattered emotions. You grapple with the weight of the past and keep wondering how to find peace.Â
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone.Â
The aftermath of a breakup can be overwhelming, and the path to healing might just lie in a seemingly tough decision – cutting ties.
Cutting ties?Â
Have you found yourself entangled in the pain post-breakup, uncertain about the way forward? Relationship experts reveal a powerful strategy: the ‘no contact’ rule. It’s not about erasing your past but about creating space for a healthier future.
Staying connected with an ex might seem tempting, a way to keep a flicker of hope alive. Yet, experts argue that this lingering connection can be detrimental to your mental health.Â
Enter the Zeigarnik Effect – a psychological phenomenon making your brain fixate on unfinished business, complicating the journey of moving on.
Manj Bahra, a seasoned heartbreak and relationship coach, advocates for a clean break.Â
He suggests a minimum of a month of ‘no contact,’ emphasising the need to block or remove your ex from social media. This intentional act isn’t about punishment but about creating a buffer, allowing you to gain closure and prevent confusing signals that hinder healing.
Bahra highlights the risk of misinterpretation when staying in contact, urging you to consider the ‘no contact’ rule as a protective measure. By deliberately introducing distance, you free yourself from the loop of unfinished emotions and create an environment for healing.
Cutting ties isn’t an easy task, especially in the age of instant connection.
Bahra acknowledges the challenge but assures that it gets easier with time. The initial discomfort gradually transforms into a liberating experience, akin to sticking to a challenging diet – the cravings subside, and clarity emerges.
The benefits of cutting ties extend beyond emotional closure. It also plays a role in dopamine resetting, vital for balancing the brain’s ‘feel good’ hormones.Â
Professors Robert Sapolsky and Anne Lembke from Stanford affirm the importance of reducing anticipation and uncertainty in this process.
So, if you’re in the post-breakup turbulence, ponder this science-backed approach.Â