eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Comfort a Friend After a Breakup

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(20 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.

From Quick Guide: Helping Friends 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. Step 1

    Spend time with your friend, ideally in person.

  2. Step 2

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

  3. Step 3

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

  4. Step 4

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

  5. Step 5

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

  6. Step 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.

Comments  

| View All 31 Comments

graywizard said

Flag This Comment

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 said

Flag This Comment

on 7/18/2009 Gret Info thanks 5*

ryan2 said

Flag This Comment

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

ecm1980 said

Flag This Comment

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.

Flag This Comment

on 4/21/2009 Thank you

Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Relationships & Family Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Relationships and Family
eHow_eHow Parenting, Relationships and Family