Can’t let go of someone you love? 5 ways to practice emotional detachment 

If you are looking for answers on “how to get emotionally detached?”, then you my friend, have already taken the first step towards self growth and independence. People, who for some reason, have had to separate from their loved ones, are always left remembering them. They want to feel their presence and hence, are in a constant state of despair because they miss them dearly. And these feelings come in the way of them moving on and being happy.

In other cases, even if a person is involved in a toxic relationship, it becomes hard to practice emotional detachment despite knowing that it is essentially important to let go of that relationship for your own mental well-being.

Most of us need to understand that being detached from a person doesn’t mean you forget them or love them any less. It just changes your perspective of looking at your relationship with them,  which in turn, will make you happy even when they are not with you. We all need to realize that everything and everyone in our life is temporary, and no one in this world has the power to live eternally.

According to Richa Vashista, Chief Mental Health Expert, AtEase, it is important to learn to be emotionally detached from people. “Detachment helps people move towards personal growth, which can prepare them for healthy relationships. It is possible to build healthy attachments with a person and still be happy,” she told HealthShots.

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Richa Vashista also revealed ways you can learn to be emotionally detached:

1. Practice gratitude

Be mindful of the things you have in life, things that you are grateful for. Make a list of these things as it will help you reinforce in your mind that you have other great things in life and not being with one person is not going to derail your life.

Also, read: Are you too attached to your partner? Here are 3 tips to remember

2. Indulge in a creative activity

Invest your time in something valuable and creative, something you feel passionate about. It could be anything like dancing, singing, painting, or playing a sport. This allows you to lose yourself into something you enjoy and also uplifts your mood. It will give you a sense of independence and you will rely less on other people for making you happy or filling your day. It’s a great way to practice emotional detachment in life.

3. Identify your needs

If a person is able to identify their needs in life, what drives them and what they need to stay happy, they will realize that they can be content on their own too. When one reaches this realization, they no longer feel the need of another person in their life. They will stay happy, irrespective of whether one particular person is with them or not.

4. Set healthy boundaries

Trying to get detached, while still being happy in a relationship, is the hardest. During such times, neither does the person feel the need to get detached nor do they want to. But still, it is important for a healthy relationship as it allows people to have their own space. Also, it is important to set healthy and emotional boundaries within the relationship by letting the other person know when one needs some personal space.

5. Adopt healthy habits before sleeping

When one goes to bed after a busy day and finally gets the time to remember the person they miss the most, they don’t just think. That thinking turns from a mere wonderment to deep, depressing thoughts in a matter of a few minutes. So, it is important to fill the mind with healthy thoughts or even better, just empty it out. Try to do meditation for 10-15 minutes before you sleep or try reading a good book. The hacks will calm down your mind and give you mental peace.

Despite following these measures, if you still find yourself emotionally troubled, there is no harm in seeking professional help and consulting a psychologist to undertake emotional detachment help.