All of us have – at some point in our life – experienced overwhelming heartbreak. For some of us, that heartbreak was nothing more than a passing feeling of sadness. For others, it was all-consuming.

There's no one form for heartbreak, nor is there a right or a wrong way to feel it. But there are some strategies that can help you effectively recover from heartbreak, and do so quickly, so you can start moving on with your life.

When It Doesn't Work Out With Someone You Decided Is Everything to You

Breaking up or losing a relationship with someone who was your “everything” can be absolutely devastating, no matter how long that relationship was or what kinds of challenges you faced along the way. This is someone you will no longer sleep next to at night and someone you can no longer text when you're having a bad day. Losing them can feel like losing a part of yourself.

However, it's important to remember that this is still just one relationship in a long life that's filled with purpose from other sources. You will get through this.

Seek Therapy

While the advice in this guide may be useful to you in your time of heartbreak, there's no real substitute for professional guidance in the form of counseling. With the help of a licensed therapist, you can openly talk about your feelings, explore your most conflicted thoughts, and learn coping strategies that can help you manage those thoughts and feelings. Your first few sessions will likely focus on getting to know you and establishing some early, healthy habits to practice, while your sessions in the future will be much more practical.

Remember That These Feelings Are Temporary

One of the most important realizations you can have is that these feelings are temporary. In the moments after losing a relationship, you may feel like you're going to be lonely, depressed, or hurt forever, but this is certainly not the case. There's a chance that some of your feelings may persist for some time and you may never feel great about this loss, but after a few years, even the strongest feelings are going to fade into a milder, more palatable blur. This is just one phase of your life, and it will probably be over faster than you think.

Focus on Getting Through Each Day

You're going to drive yourself crazy if you focus on your long-term future or constantly wonder how many weeks and months you're going to suffer from this heartbreak. Instead, focus on getting through each day, just one day at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about next week. Focus only on today. If you can get through today, that's a victory.

Practice Gratitude

In times of loss, it can be challenging and borderline impossible to naturally remember all the good things that you still have. That's one reason why it's so important to practice gratitude after experiencing heartbreak; it reminds you of all the positive aspects of your life. You might have lost a girlfriend or boyfriend, or even a wife or husband, but what do you still have? Children who love you? A steady job? A supportive family? Loving friends? Hobbies that distract and entertain you? Personal accomplishments? Everyone has something they can be grateful for.

Smile and Laugh (Even If You Don't Want To)

Spend time each day smiling and laughing, even if you don't want to, and even if it feels weird. Look up some funny videos, watch some comedies, and hang out with people who make you laugh. Even in the absence of these things, you can smile and laugh in the mirror. These physical actions trigger chemical releases that can make you feel happier – even if it's only temporary. It's good for you!

Remember and Care for Others in Your Life

It's easy to wallow in your own pit of sadness after feeling heartbreak, but one easy way to get back on your feet is to remember and care for the other people in your life. Reach out to friends and family members with messages of love and kindness, and ask if there's anything you can do for them. It's a simple gesture that will help you reinforce your most valuable connections, temporarily distract you, and make you feel good on the inside.

Spend Time in Nature

It's also important to spend some time in nature. Even if all you do is go for a short walk in the woods, getting exercise and breathing fresh air is the perfect opportunity to get out of your own head. Make it a routine to allow these benefits to persist.

Prioritize Yourself Until You're Truly Ready to Move On

Some people are tempted to immediately jump back into dating or focus on someone else as a distraction from the heartbreak, but it's usually better to focus on yourself. Do things that make you happy. Figure out who you are. This alone time is an excellent opportunity to improve yourself and enjoy your own company, so take advantage of it. Only move forward when you're truly ready.

For some people, the heartbreak phase is only a few weeks. For others, it can last a lot longer. There's no right or wrong way to approach this; what's important is that you choose to deal with your heartbreak proactively and in a healthy manner.