Why does heartbreak feel like withdrawal? Discover what a breakup does to your brain, plus 5 neuroscience-backed steps to heal and find yourself again.   Key takeaways  <ol dir="ltr"> <li>Heartbreak feels like withdrawal because romantic love works like an addiction in the brain. Falling in love fires the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area (VTA), so the brain treats love like a survival need, closer to hunger or thirst. A breakup cuts off dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin, and cortisol and adrenaline flood in.</li> <li>A breakup feels like losing part of yourself because the brain merges your partner into your identity. The medial prefrontal cortex handles thoughts about yourself and about people you’re close to. Over time, your brain starts treating a loved partner as part of you.</li> <li>Emotional pain and physical pain share brain pathways. That’s why heartbreak brings chest pain, poor sleep, appetite changes and palpitations, and why exercise endorphins help. In rare cases, severe stress can trigger Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called “broken heart syndrome.”</li> <li>Chronic stress after a breakup weakens the links between brain regions. That’s why focus, memory and everyday life admin fall apart. In extreme cases, the nervous system can go into a “dorsal vagal shutdown” (freeze) state of numbness, exhaustion and withdrawal.</li> <li>Five steps to heal your brain after a breakup: (1) feel the pain with supportive people around you, (2) cut contact and remove triggers, (3) level the playing field with an “ick list,” (4) replace the void by changing your routines and surroundings, and (5) do things purely for joy and connection.</li> </ol>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Why does heartbreak feel like withdrawal? Discover what a breakup does to your brain, plus 5 neuroscience-backed steps to heal and find yourself again. Key takeaways Heartbreak feels like withdrawal because romantic love works like an addiction in the brain. Falling in love fires the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area (VTA), so the brain treats love like a survival need, closer to hunger or thirst. A breakup cuts off dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin, and cortisol and adrenaline flood in. A breakup feels like losing part of yourself because the brain merges your partner into your identity. The medial prefrontal cortex handles thoughts about yourself and about people you’re close to. Over time, your brain starts treating a loved partner as part of you. Emotional pain and physical pain share brain pathways. That’s why heartbreak brings chest pain, poor sleep, appetite changes and palpitations, and why exercise endorphins help. In rare cases, severe stress can trigger Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called “broken heart syndrome.” Chronic stress after a breakup weakens the links between brain regions. That’s why focus, memory and everyday life admin fall apart. In extreme cases, the nervous system can go into a “dorsal vagal shutdown” (freeze) state of numbness, exhaustion and withdrawal. Five steps to heal your brain after a breakup: (1) feel the pain with supportive people around you, (2) cut contact and remove triggers, (3) level the playing field with an “ick list,” (4) replace the void by changing your routines and surroundings, and (5) do things purely for joy and connection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does heartbreak feel like withdrawal? Discover what a breakup does to your brain, plus 5 neuroscience-backed steps to heal and find yourself again. &nbsp; Key takeaways&nbsp; <ol> <li>Heartbreak feels like withdrawal because romantic love works like an addiction in the brain. Falling in love fires the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area (VTA), so the brain treats love like a survival need, closer to hunger or thirst. A breakup cuts off dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin, and cortisol and adrenaline flood in.</li> <li>A breakup feels like losing part of yourself because the brain merges your partner into your identity. The medial prefrontal cortex handles thoughts about yourself and about people you’re close to. Over time, your brain starts treating a loved partner as part of you.</li> <li>Emotional pain and physical pain share brain pathways. That’s why heartbreak brings chest pain, poor sleep, appetite changes and palpitations, and why exercise endorphins help. In rare cases, severe stress can trigger Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called “broken heart syndrome.”</li> <li>Chronic stress after a breakup weakens the links between brain regions. That’s why focus, memory and everyday life admin fall apart. In extreme cases, the nervous system can go into a “dorsal vagal shutdown” (freeze) state of numbness, exhaustion and withdrawal.</li> <li>Five steps to heal your brain after a breakup: (1) feel the pain with supportive people around you, (2) cut contact and remove triggers, (3) level the playing field with an “ick list,” (4) replace the void by changing your routines and surroundings, and (5) do things purely for joy and connection.</li> </ol>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

How to Get Over a Breakup: 5 Neuroscience-Backed Steps

How do you stop caring about what people think of you? How can you let go of the things that keep you from living the life you want? This question is so crippling for so many of us, but there IS a simple solution. In this episode we’ll learn how to deal with these feelings in a way that don't consume you and stop you from going on with your life. I'll give you my 7 steps to overcome falling into the trap of caring what people think about you! Brain Fact:<a href="https://bit.ly/centralsensitization"> </a>Central Sensitization and chronic pain. <ul> <li>Join the <a href="https://bit.ly/dyfm-group">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DYFM Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠⁠ Group </li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://bit.ly/4eofEzb">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@doyoufkingmind⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> ⁠⁠on IG  </li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dyfmpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dyfmpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on TT</li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://bit.ly/alexis-ig">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠alexisfernandezpreiksa⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on IG   </li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@alexispredez?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alexispredez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠⁠ on TT</li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mindsetrecreationclub/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on IG   </li> <li>Follow ⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsetrecreationclub">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> on TT</li> <li>Order your Brain Journal here: <a href="https://www.mindsetrecreationclub.com/">⁠⁠⁠www.mindsetrecreationclub.com⁠</a> </li> </ul>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

How do you stop caring about what people think of you? How can you let go of the things that keep you from living the life you want? This question is so crippling for so many of us, but there IS a simple solution. In this episode we’ll learn how to deal with these feelings in a way that don't consume you and stop you from going on with your life. I'll give you my 7 steps to overcome falling into the trap of caring what people think about you! Brain Fact: Central Sensitization and chronic pain. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DYFM Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Group Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@doyoufkingmind⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on IG Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dyfmpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on TT Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠alexisfernandezpreiksa⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on IG Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alexispredez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on TT Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on IG Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on TT Order your Brain Journal here: ⁠⁠⁠www.mindsetrecreationclub.com⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you stop caring about what people think of you? How can you let go of the things that keep you from living the life you want? This question is so crippling for so many of us, but there IS a simple solution. In this episode we’ll learn how to deal with these feelings in a way that don't consume you and stop you from going on with your life. I'll give you my 7 steps to overcome falling into the trap of caring what people think about you! Brain Fact:<a href="https://bit.ly/centralsensitization" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a>Central Sensitization and chronic pain. <ul> <li>Join the&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/dyfm-group" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DYFM Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠⁠&nbsp;Group&nbsp;</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://bit.ly/4eofEzb" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@doyoufkingmind⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> ⁠⁠on IG&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dyfmpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dyfmpodcast⁠⁠&nbsp;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on TT</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://bit.ly/alexis-ig" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠alexisfernandezpreiksa⁠⁠&nbsp;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on IG&nbsp; &nbsp;</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@alexispredez?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alexispredez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠⁠&nbsp;on TT</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mindsetrecreationclub/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠&nbsp;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>on IG&nbsp; &nbsp;</li> <li>Follow&nbsp;⁠⁠<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsetrecreationclub" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mindsetrecreationclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>&nbsp;on TT</li> <li>Order your Brain Journal here: <a href="https://www.mindsetrecreationclub.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠www.mindsetrecreationclub.com⁠</a> </li> </ul>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

How to REALLY stop caring about what people think of you (E)

You spoke and I listened. Topics that my beans (listeners) wanted covered. WARNING - I seem to swear a lot, it appears.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

You spoke and I listened. Topics that my beans (listeners) wanted covered. WARNING - I seem to swear a lot, it appears. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You spoke and I listened. Topics that my beans (listeners) wanted covered. WARNING - I seem to swear a lot, it appears.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

6. Motivation, Purpose and Body Image

Some seriously relatable and crazy stories. Topics ranging from relationships, toxic people and navigating breakups. Tune in to hear all the advice.  See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Some seriously relatable and crazy stories. Topics ranging from relationships, toxic people and navigating breakups. Tune in to hear all the advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some seriously relatable and crazy stories. Topics ranging from relationships, toxic people and navigating breakups. Tune in to hear all the advice. &nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

5. Listener Stories pt. 1

Answering all your questions around fitness, nutrition, mindset, how i stay motivated and on task. Tune in to get the low down on my day to day life and what I did to my hair as a child.  See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Answering all your questions around fitness, nutrition, mindset, how i stay motivated and on task. Tune in to get the low down on my day to day life and what I did to my hair as a child. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Answering all your questions around fitness, nutrition, mindset, how i stay motivated and on task. Tune in to get the low down on my day to day life and what I did to my hair as a child. &nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

4. How I keep fit, eat and stay motivated

How to tackle the green eyed monster that is jealousy. Whether it be relationship jealousy, comparing yourself to your friends or feeling like you are in competition with your peers, this episode covers it all.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

How to tackle the green eyed monster that is jealousy. Whether it be relationship jealousy, comparing yourself to your friends or feeling like you are in competition with your peers, this episode covers it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to tackle the green eyed monster that is jealousy. Whether it be relationship jealousy, comparing yourself to your friends or feeling like you are in competition with your peers, this episode covers it all.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

3. Overcoming Jealousy

A blunt but practical way to navigate your way out of the shitstorm that is being dumped. Real and useful hacks to get you back on track to being the best version of yourself.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

A blunt but practical way to navigate your way out of the shitstorm that is being dumped. Real and useful hacks to get you back on track to being the best version of yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A blunt but practical way to navigate your way out of the shitstorm that is being dumped. Real and useful hacks to get you back on track to being the best version of yourself.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

2. Heartbreak Hacks

The first episode of DYFM! No matter if you want to move cities, change careers or start a business, this episode talks about how to navigate through all the shit to get to where you want to be… and taking that leap of faith. (originally published 16th March 2020) Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

The first episode of DYFM! No matter if you want to move cities, change careers or start a business, this episode talks about how to navigate through all the shit to get to where you want to be… and taking that leap of faith. (originally published 16th March 2020) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first episode of DYFM! No matter if you want to move cities, change careers or start a business, this episode talks about how to navigate through all the shit to get to where you want to be… and taking that leap of faith. (originally published 16th March 2020) Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

1. Taking a Leap of Faith

Mindset hacks for a badass life, hosted by cognitive neuroscientist Alexis Fernandez.
On Mondays my episodes are a combo of neuroscience and psychology. I deep dive into everything from habit formation and how to live a carefree life, to friendships and heartbreak. And on Fridays we've got Head Noise - where I answer your questions!
Email info@dyfmpod.com to submit your questions.
Order your copy of my latest book How to Chase Change at <a href="https://bit.ly/44xwszR">https://bit.ly/44xwszR</a>

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Education

Self-Improvement

Mindset hacks for a badass life, hosted by cognitive neuroscientist Alexis Fernandez. On Mondays my episodes are a combo of neuroscience and psychology. I deep dive into everything from habit formation and how to live a carefree life, to friendships and heartbreak. And on Fridays we've got Head Noise - where I answer your questions! Email info@dyfmpod.com to submit your questions. Order your copy of my latest book How to Chase Change at https://bit.ly/44xwszR

Mindset hacks for a badass life, hosted by cognitive neuroscientist Alexis Fernandez.
On Mondays my episodes are a combo of neuroscience and psychology. I deep dive into everything from habit formation and how to live a carefree life, to friendships and heartbreak. And on Fridays we've got Head Noise - where I answer your questions!
Email info@dyfmpod.com to submit your questions.
Order your copy of my latest book How to Chase Change at <a href="https://bit.ly/44xwszR" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/44xwszR</a>

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