Whether it was the breakup of a romantic relationship, betrayal by a person you believed to be a good friend, or a traumatic experience that rocked the ground underneath you, everyone has experienced the sick and sinking feeling a broken heart can trigger. Emotional and psychological distress can trigger the same part of the brain that responds to physical harm. That is, emotional pain is felt physically. Depending on the person, being “sick at heart” can be coupled with digestive upsets such as stomachaches and nausea. It may affect cognitive processes, leading to memory problems or difficulty expressing oneself verbally. It can affect the respiratory system and leave us struggling to catch our breath or hold our breath. The nervous system may be affected, leaving us weak in our knees or numb. Our blood pressure may rise and our heart might pound, and in some cases, a broken heart can be fatal. Both women and men may experience broken heart syndromes, but more women are diagnosed with it than men. However, women fare better than men and have a lower mortality rate than men. It’s probably because men tend to have more complications or a critical underlying issue. There is no easy path to healing a broken heart. Bed rest and a healthy diet are recommended. What also helps us is being in the company of family and friends who accept us and love us for who we are. Self-pity isn’t good, so don’t waste too much time wallowing. Don’t retreat from the world. Cocooning for a week isn’t harmful; stepping out of life for a month suggests symptoms of depression that may need to be addressed with the help of a counselor. Don’t waste a moment thinking about revenge. Remind yourself that living well is the best revenge, and commit yourself to moving forward without the negative energy.