 Why heartbreak hurts? Getting your heart broken happens to all of us at some point, whether it's a romantic relationship, losing a friendship, or some other emotional gut punch that comes with losing someone or something you loved very deeply. But why does it hurt so freaking much? While we still have a lot to learn about how our bodies, emotions, and minds are connected, science can tell us a few things about why heartbreak really just sucks. First, heartbreak is incredibly stressful. That stress can take days, weeks, or even months or years to get over. When you're stressed with something as hurtful as a heartbreak, the same happy hormones that helped you fall in love in the first place, like dopamine and oxytocin, are replaced with cortisol, aka the stress hormone. Cortisol is the hormone our body uses to support our flight or fight responses, so too much of it over time can lead to anxiety, nausea, and other unwelcome symptoms like acne and weight gain. Another reason heartbreak hurts so much, according to some studies, is because your brain has the ability to process emotional pain in the same way as it does physical pain. So when you hear song lyrics like, it feels like my heart got ripped out, it's not exactly far off from how heartbreak can physically feel. But understanding why heartbreak hurts so much doesn't exactly help you feel any better. So what can you do to get rid of the stress and get back to those happy hormones? First, spend time doing activities you love, and spend time with friends and family who can support you. It's cliche, but eating healthy and exercising is proven to alleviate stress and make you feel good. The phrase time heals all is also cliche for a reason. As your stress levels go down, your body will be able to kick out the cortisol and get the happy hormones back in action. If you ever feel alone in your heartbreak, just remember there are thousands, if not millions, of songs, books, and movies all about this stuff. You are definitely not alone, and this too will pass, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.