What Causes Lovesickness and How to Overcome It?

Do you know what it feels like when you’re longing for someone? Perhaps you can’t focus on anything else because you’re constantly thinking about that special someone or the one you’ve lost. You might be experiencing lovesickness, which can occur when you’re feeling sad, unmotivated, or even physically unwell due to the absence of your beloved.

The truth is that there are different types of lovesickness, and the emotions can feel like a wild roller coaster. Why does this happen, and if you’re trying to move on, how do you get rid of the feeling of being lovesick?

What Does It Mean to Be Lovesick?

Lovesickness occurs when you’re longing for someone so intensely that it’s altering the way you think and feel. This can happen after you’ve lost a loved one and are grieving, perhaps from a breakup or a death.

You may also feel lovesick when you have unrequited feelings for someone or when you’re separated from a partner and can’t connect emotionally or physically.

As you probably already know, the feeling of love isn’t triggered by the heart; it comes from activity in the brain and hormone fluctuations.

A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology suggests that lovesickness affects dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, testosterone, and cortisol levels. Researchers indicate that being lovesick can cause traits ranging from frenzy and intrusive thoughts to despair and depression.

Symptoms

The term “sick” is used for a reason – you may actually experience both physical and emotional symptoms when experiencing lovesickness. Being lovesick can disrupt your normal life and routine.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Lack of motivation
• Exhaustion
• Anxiety
• Sadness or depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability or agitation
• Restlessness
• Increased pain or tension
• Digestive problems
• Constantly thinking about the person
• Feeling isolated
• Making poor dietary and lifestyle choices

Now, it’s not uncommon to feel lovesickness symptoms when you’re first falling in love. That excitement, inability to focus on other things, euphoria, and feeling of desire are sometimes described as being lovesick, but using the term “lovestruck” is more accurate.

While it can feel confusing and overwhelming to fall in love, the experience is generally positive and exciting, which makes it different from feeling lovesick.

How to Overcome Lovesickness

There may not be a quick fix for lovesickness, but there are ways to reduce the symptoms and change your mindset so you can better deal with the loss you’re experiencing. In most cases, lovesickness is temporary and will fade over time, especially if you help yourself get back on track with your normal lifestyle.

1. Practice Self-Care

One of the best things you can do for yourself when feeling lovesick is to love yourself more than ever. Recent research defines self-care as having the ability to take care of oneself through awareness, self-control, and self-reliance in order to achieve optimal health and well-being.

You can do this through self-care activities or exercises, such as:

• Reading inspiring books
• Spending more time outdoors
• Getting more involved in your community
• Decluttering your home
• Working out daily
• Improving your diet
• Getting enough sleep or downtime

2. Spend Time With Friends and Family

To ease those lovesick symptoms, engage in face-to-face interactions with loved ones. This promotes a sense of connection and boosts those happy hormones.

Nurturing the relationships you have enhances your mood and self-confidence. In fact, research shows that having strong, healthy friendships is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction.

3. Talk About It

It’s not healthy to suppress your feelings, even if it seems like the easier thing to do. Talk about how you’re feeling with someone close to you or a professional. This will help you process your emotions and work through them over time.

A 2018 study published in Clinical Epidemiology found that early treatment with talk therapy is associated with a reduced long-term risk of serious mental health conditions in people dealing with severe grief after the loss of a loved one.

4. Increase Oxytocin

Oxytocin is the love hormone, often called “the love drug.” It’s responsible for many aspects of pleasure and social bonding, but it also helps soothe the body and mind.

There are ways to naturally boost the production of oxytocin, such as:

• Hugging friends and loved ones
• Getting a massage
• Watching a funny movie
• Exercising
• Listening to calming music
• Speaking to someone you trust

Risks and Side Effects

It’s not uncommon to feel lovesick after a breakup, separation, or the loss of a loved one. If this begins to affect your daily routine and ability to function, seek help from a trusted source or a professional.

Remember to prioritize self-care and your own well-being.

Conclusion

• Lovesickness occurs when you’re longing for someone so intensely that it’s changing the way you think and feel.
• Feeling lovesick may occur after you’ve lost a loved one and are grieving, perhaps from a breakup, separation, or death.
• Some signs of lovesickness include trouble concentrating, fatigue, insomnia or restlessness, mood changes, appetite changes, and digestive issues.
• If you’re experiencing these symptoms, prioritize self-care, connect with friends and family, talk about your feelings with a trusted source or professional, and work on boosting your happy hormones by getting outside, having fun, and being creative.