The pain of a break-up is real, and it may just be enough to have you spending your weekends alone, upset and curled up on the couch. But there will come a time when the clouds will part and you’re ready to dry your tears — maybe that time is right now.
It’s always difficult to get back on your feet when you’re single again for the first time in a long time, but the best way to cope is to hang with the people who love you. Your friends want to make you feel better, and it’s up to you to decide when you’re ready to go out and what you’re ready to do.
The following are five ideas of activities you can do with your friends after you’ve been dumped. They’re so much fun, you might just forget about the heartbreak and look forward to the happy, fun future you’ll have regardless.
- Spend a Day at the (Home) Spa
All that tension in your muscles post-break up needs to go. A massage therapist can masterfully handle such discomfort and leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. We can’t imagine your friends complaining if you start rounding them up for a spa session, either.
If a spa visit is out of your budget, you can still have an out-of-this-world relaxation session. It’s simple to DIY when it comes to spa treatments. You can whip up hair treatments, foot soaks and facemasks together and then let the pampering begin.
- Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple
Another good way to leave your worries behind is to actually leave them behind. Enlist your best friends for a trip to somewhere buzzing and endlessly exciting, like New York City. There’s so much to see, do, eat and drink, you’ll have a hard time remembering why you were sad a few weeks ago.
Speaking of drinking, the state of New York has a rich wine history and culture that you and your friends will be sure to love. Plan a day trip from the city to see one of the state’s most fruitful wine areas, like Long Island or the Hudson Valley.
- Set Up a Sleepover Party
You may think you’re much too old for a sleepover, but an old-school, friends-only party may be just what you need right now. Clear out your living room so everyone has space to unfurl their sleeping bags. Then, order a huge pizza, stock up on snacks and cue up the cheesiest 80s and 90s movies you can find. You can stay up all night talking (or go to sleep because, you know, you’re grown-ups now) before whipping up a pancake breakfast in the morning. Classic!
- Plan a Potluck in the Park
If you’ve cooped yourself up inside post-break up, it’s time to head outside. Spending time outdoors can seriously improve your mood. Experts believe that’s because your body responds positively to things that are good for you: seeing a tree and subconsciously realizing it can provide shade, fruit, nuts and clean air will send your mood skyrocketing.
Of course, if you’re planning a social gathering, then you’ll want to do more than just meet up in the park. Have everyone bring some sort of shareable dish, spread a blanket and soak up those feel-good vibes.
- Dance It Out
It likely comes as no surprise that dancing makes you feel happy, but there are scientific reasons why. For one, your body releases way more endorphins while you’re dancing — those are the feel-good hormones — than it does when you’re just plain exercising. On top of that, dancing has links to your emotions and can prompt a release of pent-up feelings, which could just be what you need right now, right?
There are plenty of ways to get your dance on post-break up. Perhaps you just call all your friends over, put on a playlist and transform your living room into a dance floor. You could get dolled up and head out to a local dance club for a breath of fresh air. Or, you could even sign up for dance lessons with your friends and learn a new style, whether it be swing, salsa, tap or even pole-dancing — the dance floor is your oyster.
Now, Get Back Out There
With these ideas in mind, it should be easy to plan your first steps back into the real world. More importantly, though, with your friends at your side, you’ll be back to yourself in no time at all.
