Break ups suck. Whether it’s been a month or 4 years, losing that daily companionship and the fear of starting over is terrifying. Sometimes it can take weeks to feel the motivation to do more than just lay in bed and binge Netflix. Of course crying is the natural reaction to the loss since studies have shown that a break up is similar to an addiction withdrawal. Crying is therapeutic and a stress reliever but we shouldn’t just the go to activity for after a breakup.

So as an alternate, try some of these!

1. Channel your creative side

Taking the anger, sadness and maybe even bitterness and making it into a piece of art can be amazing. Just take a look at any famous painting and you can feel the emotion from the types of brush strokes and the color palate. If painting on canvases isn’t your thing, maybe your room could use a fresh coat of paint. To be honest, I just recently decided to repaint all the trim in the bedrooms of my house to distract myself from my breakup. Write a letter to your ex, you don’t have to send it to him/her but you could always get out all your feelings on paper or screen.

2. Dance!

It sounds silly but seriously, get up and move! I’m not saying make chorography for the next Beyoncé music video but just act silly! Laugh, remember that yes it hurts but you just have to remember that before your ex, you were happy. Plus could it really hurt to jam out to Beyoncé’s Lemonade?

3. Go on a date

I’m not saying that you need to find a rebound (that’s actually a terrible idea). It can be with your best girlfriend, but you need to get out of the house and have fun. Go to the movies; it’s an easy way to get out of the house, be around people who care about you, distract yourself but you don’t have to worry about talking about the breakup, how you feel or anything like that. Or you can go lounge at the beach, the vitamins from the sun can only help relieve those negative feelings.

4. Get dressed and all dolled up

Everyone likes to feel like a princess. And a cute outfit with make-up isn’t only for formal events and GNO’s. You never need a legit reason to take and get all dressed up and strut around the house. This not only gets out of those 3 day old sweats and baggy hoodie, but it helps allow for you to feel better and smile.

5. Try a new do

A good way to begin a fresh start is to begin with a new do. Whether that’s with a change of color or cutting it all off or maybe finally trying those bangs you’ve been dying to have. A new look helps to show a new you and that can be one of the healthiest things you do after a breakup.

6. Go out of town

Get away from everything. The memories. The ex. Your friends. Even if it’s just thirty minutes up the road to an old friend’s house, a grandparents house, a parent’s house or just a hotel. Getting to a place where you can clear your head is a huge benefit to you. You’re able to heal in peace and to finally see everything more clearly. When you first breakup, you always try to see the first signs of trouble or you try to see all the good but you can’t torture yourself like that. Getting away from everything will help you see everything for what it is and that’s when you are able to move on.

The main thing to remember is that you were happy before your ex and you will be happy after your ex.