How to Comfort a Friend After a Breakup

By eHow Relationships & Family Editor

Rate: (7 Ratings)

Sometimes the steadiness of friendship is the best remedy for the ups and downs of the romance roller coaster. Here are some tips for helping out a friend in need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Stress Relief Products
  • Fresh-cut Flowers
  • Picnic Basket
  • Picnic Blankets
  • Boxes Of Chocolates
  • Comfort Food
  • Facial Tissues
  • Concert Tickets
  • Dinner Reservations
  • Facial Gift Certificates
  • Massage Gift Certificates
  • Museum Tickets
  • Travel Services
  • Games

Step1
Spend time with your friend, ideally in person.
Step2
Let your friend talk. If he or she is not talking, encourage it. Keep lots of tissues handy.
Step3
Try distractions. Movies, sightseeing, outdoor activities and games are good possibilities.
Step4
Indulge your friend with chocolates, massages, facials, shopping sprees - whatever lets him or her concentrate on pleasure instead of pain.
Step5
Send a card to lift your friend's spirits if you can't be there in person.
Step6
Be patient. Some things take a long time to get over.

Tips & Warnings

  • Even if you think the breakup was your friend's fault, now is not the time to say so.
  • Avoid such phrases as, "There are other fish in the sea." These comments won't be helpful.
  • Be careful not to bash the ex too much. That kind of talk may make your friend distrust his or her own judgment, or distrust yours.

Comments

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mingy86 said

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on 7/6/2008 My close friend was recently dumped by her boyfriend of 2.5 years. He said he needed to sleep with other people and that they had to be apart. So for the next two weeks he slept with a woman he'd met earlier, while my friend was left heartbroken and miserable.
Now that the other woman he'd met is no longer in the picture, the exboyfriend has apologized, professed his love for her, and they are back together.
I am disappointed in these circumstances, but there is nothing I can do for their relationship. It's not my place because it's not my relationship.
However, the exboyfriend has been trying to communicate with me i a casual manner, acting like nothing ever happened. I don't want to be friends with him. HE makes me sick to my stomach. What should I do?

JenH said

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on 6/19/2007 My ex and I just broke up a little over a week ago, and I'm already feeling better about the situation. What helped me most was what my friends have done for me, and here's what they have done:
-They plan trips that involve me. Trips to the beach, get togethers for movies and dinner, and trips to different states. It's nice to feel that my company is wanted by these wonderful people.
-They've treated me like they always have. They haven't treated me like something fragile. They made me remember who I was before the relationship. They made me see the person I was when I attracted my ex in the first place, which will help me attract others in the future.
-They've listened when I talked and would always say that I can call them anytime, day or night. Knowing that someone is there is a great feeling.
-They tell me that they love me.
Hopefully, those will tips will help.

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on 3/2/2007 Be a FRIEND-Be there all the time for them..Show your love and care..Support them in many ways..Give them the shoulder to cry on.Hug them express to them that they are important to you that you care for them alot!Most importantly BE PATIENCE with them fully through this Painful Stage!

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on 2/2/2007 The way to encourage your friend after a break-up is to talk to them about the problem and tell the how they feel about it,Then after Just Change the subject about a new guy or girl,if not just tell him or her if they wan't to do something,Like watch a movie,go ice skating,or go to the mall ect.
Just make sure your friend has his or her mind off of the break up,It'll be hard,But at least just try.



-Sammie

nancyd22 said

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on 12/8/2006 Whatever you do leave alcohol out of it. My friend and I went drinking and really hung one on - the next day was the worst day of my life. Remember - alcohol is a depressant.

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eHow Article:  How to Comfort a Friend After a Breakup

eHow Relationships & Family Editor

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