You love your partner. You think they’re wonderful, smart, and honestly, still pretty sexy. But when they give you that look from across the sofa, your stomach doesn’t flutter with excitement—it sinks with a quiet dread.

Breaking up isn’t just an emotional crisis—it’s a neurobiological event. Your brain reacts to heartbreak like physical pain, flooding your system with stress hormones and withdrawal-like cravings for your ex. But healing is possible. Here’s what happens after a breakup, the questions we ask ourselves, and science-backed ways to recover—including CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) techniques.