Relationships can be brutal, just look at the popularity of songs like 'Someone Like You' by Adele, or all the covers of 'Cry Me a River' by Julie London.
Some people have compared a relationship breakup with grief, as it involves the loss of an important relationship. There may be a scientific basis for this.
Scientists have found that getting over an ex can take around 4.18 years and even longer for people with certain attachment styles, or for people who have to maintain ongoing contact with their ex.
So, what should you do after a relationship ends? One study identified 84 things that people do after a breakup. The most common was shifting focus to other things, particularly keeping busy and focusing on themselves.
Other strategies were to seek support from friends, family or professionals, while some people withdrew socially.
