Lovesickness: What It Is and How to Overcome It
Love is a beautiful thing, but sometimes it can become overwhelming. When you experience helplessness and hopelessness, and your romantic experience has failed, it can lead to a condition known as lovesickness.
What is Lovesickness?
Lovesickness is the feeling of despair that comes with unrequited love or mixed signals from someone you care deeply about.
It tends to be most severe when the feelings are not reciprocated, and over time, it can lead to emotional and physical symptoms. The severity of lovesickness varies from person to person, and it can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms of Lovesickness
Emotional symptoms of lovesickness include:
- Mood swings
- Isolation
- Depression
Physical symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Distraction
- OCD
- Hoarding
- Overanalysis
- Tearfulness
- Insomnia
As if this isn’t enough, lovesickness also has the potential to cause suicidal thoughts. Yes, you heard that right – the pain of unrequited love can drive someone to want to take their own life.
Causes of Lovesickness
What causes lovesickness? The answer is not clear-cut.
- Uncertainty
- Unrequited love
- Mixed signals
- Limerence
It’s a complex web of emotions that can be hard to decode, and that’s what makes it even harder to deal with.
The Difference Between Heartbreak and Lovesickness
Heartbreak occurs when you have lost someone you love. On the other hand, lovesickness is when you are pining for something that you can’t have.
In a way, lovesickness is more severe because you are holding onto something that is not there.
Overcoming Lovesickness
There are ways to overcome and manage lovesickness.
Self-Care
One thing you can do is practice self-care.
- Eat healthily
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise
Also, try talking to someone you trust about your feelings, whether it’s a friend or a professional.
Risks Associated with Lovesickness
When you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotions, it can make you act recklessly and have suicidal thoughts.
That’s why it’s essential to seek help when you need it.
Strategies to Overcome Lovesickness
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Asking out Your Crush
This may seem counterintuitive, but one way to overcome lovesickness can be to ask out your crush. While there’s the possibility of rejection or failure, being vulnerable and putting yourself out there can sometimes provide the closure you need.
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Turning Emotions into Dislike
Another way to deal with lovesickness is to shift your perspective and view your crush in a negative light. Focus on their toxic qualities or actions, and remind yourself of why they are not a good fit for you.
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Focusing on Flaws of Crush
Similarly, it can be helpful to focus on the imperfections of your crush, rather than idealizing them. This can help you see them more realistically and compare them unfavorably to others.
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Keeping Mind Occupied
When you’re dealing with lovesickness, keeping your mind occupied can be a lifesaver. Engage in hobbies or pursuits that you enjoy, and allow yourself to get lost in the activity.
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Forcing Yourself to Be Sociable
Pushing yourself to be more social can be difficult when you’re feeling low, but it can also make a huge difference. Connecting with friends or strangers and having positive experiences can help distract you from your feelings of lovesickness.
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Burning Physical Memories
Sometimes, holding onto physical mementos or memories can keep you stuck in your feelings of lovesickness. Burning or getting rid of these items can help provide closure and allow you to let go of the past.
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Rationalizing, but not Obsessing
Reflecting on your feelings and how you got to this point can help with acceptance and moving on. However, be careful not to obsess or overanalyze the situation.
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Spending Time Outside
Being in nature can have a calming influence on our emotions. Take a walk outside or find other ways to incorporate the beauty of the outdoors into your daily routine.
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Flirting with Someone Else
Flirting with someone else can provide a much-needed distraction and a boost of confidence. Even if you don’t want to pursue a relationship, just flirting can help you regain a sense of control.
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Accepting Time to Overcome Lovesickness
Finally, it’s essential to remember that overcoming lovesickness doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and patience.
Avoid triggers and focus on fun and enjoyment until you find yourself feeling better.
Conclusion
Dealing with lovesickness is tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Employing some of these strategies can help you overcome your negative emotions and move on to a brighter future.
In conclusion, lovesickness is a real and overwhelming condition that can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless.
It can manifest itself as both emotional and physical symptoms, and in severe cases, can lead to suicidal thoughts. However, by recognizing its severity and employing some practical strategies, we can move on from the pain of unrequited love and regain happiness and confidence.
Focusing on hobbies, connecting with others, spending time outdoors, or rationalizing our situation are just some of the many ways to help manage our lovesickness.
We must remember that overcoming lovesickness takes time, patience, and resilience, but the most important factor is taking the first step towards recovery.
