How to Help Your Friend Through a Break-Up

Most of us have experienced the break-up of a relationship, or had a friend who has. The loss of a love relationship can be devastating, leaving one or both parties with a broken heart. If you have a friend who has recently experienced the heartbreaking loss of a relationship, this article will give you some ideas of how to help your friend through the break-up.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• The ability to listen and empathize.

1. 

   BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR FRIEND TO TALK TO. Just knowing that someone is there to listen to how they feel about the loss of the relationship, and the break-up itself, is often helpful to soften the sharp edges of the pain they are experiencing from the loss of love.

2. BE CAREFUL ABOUT GIVING THEM RELATIONSHIP ADVICE. If they ask you for advice about whether or not they should try to get the other person back, or whether they should stay in contact with them, or any other similar advice, you should be mindful that if you give them advice and they take it, you may be who they blame if things backfire on them. If they don't ask for advice, don't volunteer it. That isn't to say that you can't have open conversations with them about all the issues surrounding your friend's break-up, just try to make sure that they feel that they are in charge of their decisions.

3. 

   KEEP YOUR FRIEND BUSY WITH FUN ACTIVITIES THAT DISTRACT THEM FROM THEIR BREAK-UP. Take them out to do the things that you both like to do together. Go to lunch, bowling, golf, movies, shopping, hiking, you get the idea. Keep them active!

4. 

   DON'T PRESSURE THEM TO GET OVER THE LOSS OF THEIR LOVE OR THE BREAK-UP. Let them ease back into the dating and relationship scene at their own speed. If your friend says they aren't ready to go out with anyone yet, then trust that they will know when it is time.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay positive a let your friend know that you will be there for them while they get through the break-up.
• Be careful about saying bad things about the person that your friend broke up with. They may end up back together one day and your friend may share what you said with the other person, which could be awkward for you.

[joanhaines]

on 11/21/2009 Oh, yes. Listening is key.

[jaredbangerter]

on 10/3/2009 You DEFINITELY want to watch the "advice" you give them, I agree. Most of the time they take it the wrong way. It is best to just listen to what they have to say. 5* and rec

[femwriter]

on 8/30/2009 This is a very helpful article and thanks for writing this one! 5*

[sonni57]

on 8/19/2009 That's what friends are for to help other friends.

[godfather25]

on 8/19/2009 Very nice tips on helping your friend through a breakup.