There’s no easy way to get over and heal from an unhealthy relationship. Whether in a toxic partnership or dealing with a manipulative family member, healing can be long and difficult. But it is possible to move on and rebuild your life after an unhealthy relationship. Keep reading to learn how to do that.
1. Set Boundaries
Unhealthy relationships can often leave you feeling taken advantage of or unworthy. One way to start the healing process is to set firm boundaries with yourself and anyone with whom you’re involved in an unhealthy relationship. This could be anything from limiting contact, setting up a no-contact rule, or cutting ties entirely if needed.
2. Reach Out for Support
Most people have experienced some form of heartbreak in their lifetime, whether from the ending of a romantic relationship or losing a loved one. While the healing process can be difficult and painful, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. If you struggle to heal after an unhealthy relationship, reach out to your family and friends for support.
Your personal support system will be able to offer you a shoulder to cry on and help you get through this difficult time. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with them, there are plenty of other outlets, such as abusive relationship therapy, support groups, or even online forums, that can provide the help and guidance you need. Be patient with yourself and reach out for help when you need it.
3. Practice Self-Care
The healing process is a journey that looks different for everyone. However, there are some general steps that can help to promote healing. One of the most important things you can do is to take care of yourself.
This means making time for activities that make you feel good, such as meditation, reading, or spending time in nature. Focusing on eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep is also important. These self-care practices will help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, both of which are essential for healing.
4. Challenge Negative Thoughts
After an unhealthy relationship, it’s common to have negative thoughts about yourself or your situation. You might feel like you’re not good enough or that you’ll never find someone else. Challenging these thoughts by writing down why they might not be true is important. For example, just because your last relationship didn’t work out doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.
There is plenty of other fish in the sea, and you deserve to find someone who will treat you right. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, try to focus on the positives. Write down a list of things you like about yourself and things you’re looking forward to in the future. Every day, take a few minutes to read your list and remind yourself that you’re worthy of love and happiness.
5. Reconnect with Your Values
After spending months or even years in an unhealthy relationship, it can be difficult to remember who you are and what you stand for. However, it is important to take this time to reconnect with your values and beliefs. What is most important to you? What do you want your life to look like? Answering these questions can help you to begin the process of rebuilding your life.
6. Give Yourself Time
It’s been said that time heals all wounds, but when it comes to relationships, that may not always feel true. If you’ve been in an unhealthy or toxic relationship, it can take some time to heal emotionally and mentally. And that’s okay. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up, whether it be anger, sadness, betrayal, etc. Bottling up your emotions will only make the healing process harder.
And while it may seem like the pain will never end, know that it won’t last forever. Just as the sun rises after a long night, you will eventually find your way out of the darkness. Be patient and give yourself the time and space you need to heal.
7. Move Forward
Once you’ve taken the time to heal, it’s important to look forward and focus on creating a healthier future for yourself. This could be setting new goals or developing healthier relationships with people in your life.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be in an unhealthy or toxic relationship to benefit from these healing techniques. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being mistreated, please reach out for help. There are people who care and want to see you healthy and happy. Toxicity is not something anyone should have to tolerate—ever.
