5 tips to keep in mind while using Facebook or WhatsApp after a break-up

Are you struggling with getting over a break-up? Here's what you need to keep in mind while using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

By: Anuradha Varanasi | | Updated: March 18, 2016 10:12 am

One of the worst life events for anyone is: surviving a break-up. The heart-ache, anger, confusion and an array of complex emotions that you experience is overwhelming, to say the least. After all, you lost someone you were once physically and emotionally intimate with and coming to terms with that is an uphill task. While going through a break-up, many of us tend to forget that various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat can t be used like a personal diary. You could try out these tips to get over a relationship. Here s how you can survive your break-up and also make peace with your ex at least in the virtual world with the help of these 5 tips. Also Read - Adults with increased social media usage likely to develop depression within six months

Also Read - Parenting tips: 5 ways social media affects your teenager's mental health

1. Set your relationship status privacy settings to Only me before changing it Also Read - Don’t let a break-up wreak havoc on your mental health amidst the lockdown

So, when you were madly in love with your now ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, you changed your status to In a relationship or even Engaged that got umpteen number of likes and comments. Unfortunately, not all relationships last. Remember when you re changing your relationship status on Facebook, you should first change your privacy settings to ‘Only me’. All of your 1000 ‘friends’ following you online need not know that you re going through a break-up. Nor do you need to advertise on Facebook that you re now single, especially when you re still coping with the heart break. Researchers say this is how people move on after a break-up.

2. Unfriend or block your ex

This may seem like a drastic step, but in many circumstances it has to be done. If you find yourself compulsively stalking your ex and checking out every update they make on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform, it is time to step down and think this through. Do you really need to keep a constant tab on your ex now that they are no longer going to be a part of your life? The answer is no. Sadly, social media only makes it more difficult for us to get over an ex and one way to mend your broken heart and move on from the past is to unfriend and unfollow them. If you re unable to exercise self control and still continue stalking him, straight away block him if you have to. You will be doing yourself a huge favour.

3. Avoid posting any weepy or angry status updates

Of course, you re going through a turmoil of emotions after your break-up but that doesn t mean all your friends on your various social media platforms need to know about it. If you really need an outlet for your emotions, talk to a few trusted friends in person, maintain a journal or start a private online blog or journal only for yourself to vent your feelings. If that doesn t help, you could also consider going for therapy, but at all costs, avoid updating your status on WhatsApp or Facebook. It will only draw negative attention towards you.

4. Make up your mind on whether you still want to stay connected with your ex s friends and family

If you were in a long-term relationship with your ex, chances are you know all of his close friends and even some of his family members who are on your Facebook friends list. If you re close to his friends or even his sibling and want to continue staying in touch with them, you need not unfriend them. However, Facebook has an option where you can unfollow someone though they will continue to be on your friend s list. By doing this, you need not see their posts related to your ex on your newsfeed and when you re finally over your ex, you can still reach out to them. However, if you re not very close to his friends, go ahead and remove them from your friend s list and unfollow them on Instagram as well.

5. Restrict the amount of time you spend on social media

Consciously cut down the amount of time you spend on social media platforms. Keep a time limit like 15 minutes a day to check your newsfeed or other social media updates and don t exceed it. If you lack a strong will, deactivate your social media accounts for a while! Take up a new hobby like cycling or trekking or even paper quilling to keep yourself busy and distracted. Learn a new language or take up a new course to add more value to your resume. All of this will help in moving on from your past and is a lot more productive than stalking your ex s new girlfriend on Facebook! Here’s how to be in a new relationship after a break-up.

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Published : March 10, 2016 11:22 am | Updated:March 18, 2016 10:12 am

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