If you are going through a breakup, you might be in the hellhole of wondering what you could have different differently, fantasising about how you can make your ex see what they lost or head­in­phone mode stalking them on social media.

The thing is, whilst all of these things can be our initial breakup go­tos in the throws of stress, ex­anxiety and heartbreak, they really have no place in the whole moving on process. Instead, they keep us stuck.

What you might well need, is an ex cleanse.

So, here are 5 ways to detox, recharge and rejuvenate when it comes to matters of the ex!

1) Cut off communication

This is tough. Believe me I KNOW! However when you continue the chain of communication with your ex regardless of how insignificant or innocent it seems, it’s only keeping the emotional attachment there. You need to go cold turkey. No ‘hey, how are you?’ texts, tipsy voicemails, Facebook messages or any kinds of likes or comments on social media.

2) Take a social media sabbatical

Facebook I love you, but in the digital age, getting over a breakup is 100 times tougher!

If you think about it, you’re probably spending way too much time on social media seeing what your ex is doing, possibly comparing yourselves to others and feeling inadequate or 3000 photos deep in some girl’s Instagram profile who you think might be seeing your ex because she was tagged in a huge group picture with him and is the hottest girl in it. Social media can exacerbate the stress and anxiety when it comes to getting through a breakup and send us on the crazy town train. So challenge yourself to step away from it and focus more on living life in the real world.

3) Place priority on your health

Your emotions are even more heightened (and not in a good way!) if you aren’t taking care of your health. You’re more reactive, less in control, you dwell on the past and generally feel a bit ‘urgh’. So make an effort to eat well, sleep as well as you can, and do some form of exercise or move every day. You’ll feel better, look better and your head will be in a far more rational place.

4) Get good at something

You’re obviously amazing at an array of things but committing to learning something new or working towards a goal will keep your attention on something positive, make you feel like you’re accomplishing and therefore give your self­-esteem a reboot.