breakup / Mental Health / relationships / work

How To Survive Work When You’re Going Through A Breakup

. 4 min read . Written by Vanshika Goenka
How To Survive Work When You’re Going Through A Breakup

Losing someone close to you is never easy. But with breakups, the challenge lies in the fact that it isn’t considered as serious as, say, the death of a loved one.

Mourning the end of a relationship earns the opposite reaction in the workplace – an employee is considered unprofessional if they let it affect their productivity. On the one hand, you’re dealing with the stress of a breakup; on the other, you’re dealing with deadlines, bosses, meetings, and your actual work.

Either way, you’re in a disturbed state of mind, and something must be done – here’s how you can balance your work life while mending your broken heart.

6 Tips To Surviving The Workplace During A Breakup 

The advantage of going to work every day (remote or otherwise) is that you’ll always have something to distract you from your thoughts. This doesn’t mean that you must look at work as a distraction – look at it as something you can improve at, in the process of healing.

Here are some tips to survive work when you’re going through a breakup:

1. Be Stricter About Your Routine

Breakups can make you severely unmotivated to get out of bed or move on in general, so take this opportunity to do just the opposite. 

You most likely already have a schedule owing to your job – ensure you follow it religiously. To mix it up, try sleeping in a different room for a few days or a couple of weeks for a change in atmosphere. As a practice, try not to browse through social media as soon as you wake up – you may feel tempted to internet stalk your ex and feel bad all over again. Spend at least the first hour of your day without looking at your phone. Push yourself to stick to your routine.

2. Say ‘Yes’ To Your Coworkers

A break up can force a person to isolate themselves and keep interaction to a minimum. You may be tempted to say ‘no’ to people and plans, but the best way to distract yourself is to say ‘yes’ instead. You may not feel like going, but agreeing to a post-work coffee or dinner with your coworkers or keeping up with your regularly scheduled breaks with them can keep you calm and distracted. Say ‘yes’ when you’re least tempted to.

3. Ask Your Boss For New Work

Work can sometimes seem mundane, which can aggravate the feeling of disconnect and make you feel sadder about your breakup. In this case, go up to your boss and ask them to give you something new or interesting to work on. Doing this can help you utilise your energy and mind-space to do something productive, which can also give you a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. In the event that your boss can’t give you new work, ask them if you can do your current work differently. A change is all you need!

How To Survive Work When You’re Going Through A Breakup

4. Take A ‘Mental Health’ Day

Despite your best efforts, you’re going to have days where you’re down and out. The sadness of a breakup can impair your day-to-day functioning, and it can have a serious impact on your work. On such days, don’t hesitate to log off early or even take the day off. Indulge in things that make you happy – eating good food, pampering yourself, cooking, reading, or anything else. It’s important to remember that though moving on is the next step to a breakup, grieving is a huge part of healing too. Give yourself that time if your body and mind are rejecting work.

5. Confide In Your Work BFF

You may not be in the mood to talk about it, but working while heartbroken can feel isolating. In case you start feeling sad or dreadful about the breakup, rope in your work BFF and give them the news. Whether you’re in the mood to vent or for some advice, let them know your intentions in advance. Sharing can help you feel lighter and give you a fresh perspective.

6. Share As Much Or As Little As You Like 

If you’re a part of a close-knit team, there’s a chance your co-workers may ask you about your ex. Mentally prepare yourself for this. Answer as much or as little as you’re comfortable with; you can choose not to break the news to your coworkers at all. Either way, remember that sharing can sometimes help you feel better. How many people you want to share with is up to you. 

Breakups are never easy, regardless of the nature of the relationship. A tumultuous breakup can even affect your ability to perform at work – remember these tips if you’re going through it. Have more breakup survival tips? Tell us in the comments below!

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