Can’t stop thinking about your ex, even though you know he’s bad for you? There’s a scientific reason for it.

When you’re in love, your brain is bathed in the pleasure hormones dopamine and oxytocin. During the honeymoon phase, you feel like you’re on top of the world with your partner by your side. You can’t imagine life without him, and all you want is more and more of your partner.

When you split, your supply of these pleasure hormones plummet…and much like a drug addict, you find yourself looking for a hit.

In this case, the “hit” is your ex.

Simply put, your brain is going through withdrawal, just like it would on cocaine. Your hormones are out of whack, and your brain doesn’t know the difference between a broken heart and drug withdrawal. The same areas of the brain are active!

What you’re experiencing is real, so be kind to yourself.

While your heartbreak won’t be cured overnight, here are a few things you can do to combat the hormonal swings.

Raise the level of endorphins (happy hormones) in your brain by incorporating movement into your daily routine. Go for a walk. Get outdoors. Join a yoga class. Just move.
Go easy on yourself. What you’re experiencing is real. Don’t undermine the intensity. All yourself to rest, eat healthy foods, stay off of social media, and surround yourself with only supportive people.
Allow yourself to feel whatever you’re feeling. Drowning your sorrows in wine and Netflix will only get you so far. Put pen to paper and let it all out. What you resist persists.

Heartbreak is undoubtedly one of the most intense sensations you’ll ever experience. In order to truly heal and leave your ex in the past, put yourself in a mini rehab, take a deep breath, and face the withdrawal head on.