How to Comfort a Friend After a Breakup

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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

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

1. Spend time with your friend, ideally in person.

2. Let your friend talk. If he or she is not talking, encourage it. Keep lots of tissues handy.

3. Try distractions. Movies, sightseeing, outdoor activities and games are good possibilities.

4. Indulge your friend with chocolates, massages, facials, shopping sprees - whatever lets him or her concentrate on pleasure instead of pain.

5. Send a card to lift your friend's spirits if you can't be there in person.

6. 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.

[graywizard]

on 7/23/2009 Try a good re-frame such as "he had fine wine which costs more but he chose cheap beer" for someone who's ex has moved on to someone else.

[ynohtna]

on 7/18/2009 Gret Info thanks 5*

[ryan2]

on 5/11/2009 Thanks for this great informative article !

[ecm1980]

on 5/5/2009 Great advice! I especially like what you said about "Even if you think the breakup was your friend's fault, now is not the time to say so." Very true.

[looptheloop]

on 4/21/2009 Thank you