Heartbreak: my ache-y, brake-y, heart…
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Heartbreak, happens, all the time. We have all been there before. We have all bled our hearts out, hurt until we couldn’t bear it anymore, and cried ourselves to sleep over lost love. Some of us even restort to alcohal, using it to battle against the emotional surge that accompanies heartbreak. As we binge we try to forget that person that hurt us…
“No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief” – Faraaz Kazi.
What about the heartbreak we experience after the loss of a loved one? Is it possible to get so stressed and emotionally disheveled that our lives are at risk?
New research has surfaced showing that the grief of losing a loved one doubles heart attack risks within 30 days of the loved one’s passing. Contrary to popular belief, our physical health is in fact at risk right after heartbreak or loss.
Dr. Sunil Shah, co-author of study, says
We think it is important that doctors, friends and family are aware of this increase risk of heart attacks and strokes so they can ensure care and support is as good as possible at a time of increased vulnerability before and after loss of a loved one.
The study concerns mostly individuals aged 60 to 89, but what if there is some underlying increase in health problems after each heartbreak starting from a young age? What if those three long term relationships that ended in heartbreak will lead to a string of health problems in the future? More importantly, what about everyone else going through relationship problems and experiencing anxiety over a heartbreak?
“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation” – Kahlil Gibran.
Of course, there is a way to help your situation even before heartbreak occurs.
Related Article: No Heart? No Pulse? No Problem!
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that having a romantic movie date night could be more helpful then attending couples therapy! Are you dating someone who is not emotionally open to you? Watch the funny comedy Date Night, have some laughs, and talk about the movie afterwords. Or watch something more serious like Gone With The Wind, where one of you is bound to cry and pour out all of your emotions. This could potentially be the key to avoiding future heartbreak.
The idea is that the time spent together and the discussions that ensue after watching a movie about a relationship will likely lead to healing and mending in your own relationship. If not, hopefully it leads to some romantic time together. (Giggity)
A movie is a nonthreatening way to get the conversation started,
says Ronald D. Rogge, associate professor of psychology at the University of Rochester.
It’s really exciting because it makes it so much easier to reach out to couples and help them strengthen their relationships on a wide scale.
The University of Rochester website provides interactive tools for couples as well as surveys and studies to participate in to help with their heartbreak woes!
If all else fails maybe it is time to move on….
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option” – Mark Twain.
Cheers to heartbreak!
Research:
JAMA Network: Increased Risk of Acute Cardiovascular Events After Partner Bereavement
University of Rochester: Divorce Rate Cut in Half for Couples Who Discussed Relationship Movies
University of Rochester: Couples Research
IMDB: Gone with the Wind (1939)
University of Rochester Faculty: Ronald D. Rogge
University of London: Dr. Sunil Shah
Youtube: Giggity Giggity, Giggity Goo
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