How to Mend a Broken Heart: Lessons from the World of Neuroscience

by Ziella Bryars

‘Did you hear Amy has heartbreak?! What bad luck to catch it right at the end of winter.’ When Ziella Bryars was in the midst of heartbreak, a conversation with her neuroscientist best friend changed everything. Frustrated by unhelpful advice from magazines and rom-coms, Ziella began diving deep into the latest scientific research to help her understand the pain of heartbreak and find a route to recovery. This warm and witty self-help book outlines the impact a relationship break-up has on our brains and bodies, and explores how a science-based approach can help us heal. Ziella passes on what she learned about how a broken heart can affect everything from our sleep to our digestion; how rejection is represented in the brain in the same way as physical pain; how the brain processes loss; and how a break-up can trigger addiction-like withdrawal symptoms – plus tips for counteracting heartbreak and moving on to acceptance.

96 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[aqilahreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg i love this!!! ok like honestly i dont know how relationship breakup actually feels like since i dont have the experience to start with lmao but i love the fact that this book is actually quite a general read in understanding the pain of heartbreak & finding a route to recovery.

"recovery is not all about moving on but also about accepting these experiences and feelings as part of our lives"

i just wished this book was longer but i love how this book emphasizes that even if we feel terrible in the period of heartbreak, it doesnt mean that we have to feel terrible about the relationship & the feelings we have had. and how when we have feelings, its also an ability to feel pain and loss. some things shared are really applicable to life in general too.

this would definitely be a great book to give to your loved ones who just had a recent breakup or if you would like to pick up a very short book to read. found myself taking down some notes - i really love ziella bryars's writing and how reading her words made me feel like shes writing to a friend. ugh omg my heart!! so underrated, cant wait to read more of her works. what actually made me picked this one up is because its published by fairlight books! im starting to love everything thats published by them. 😍

[Aliya Ali-Afzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly, most us us will need advice on getting over heartache at some point in our lives. How To Mend a Broken Heart is like a friend who will hold your hand during the tough times and is also full of practical strategies. Everything is backed up by science but you also get wonderfully warm and funny support along with that.

I love this powerful little book and have also bought it for a friend who is going through a difficult time.

[grace saint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing you don't already know but nice to have it reiterated
Basically mourn, cry, exercise, look at a tree, distract when it's really bad, CBT yourself every time you start reminiscing on the good stuff if you're struggling to fall out of love with them

Update : dear readers, this book did not work he is back in my bed the very same night I read it :) x

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly the best resource I have found to overcoming heartbreak. It provides neurological explanations to my heartbreak experience along with a compassionate tone, which deeply validated my experience.

While I'm aware of the strategies to ease heartbreak & help with depression etc, it was framed in a way which was actually convincing. I'm motivated to do them & educated on just why strategies are helpful.

It was just the support & advice I needed to hear

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic premise of this book is so important to hear and understand: the emotions one goes through after a difficult breakup are normal and can be explained by neuroscience. This really busts through the judgment one can have towards themselves about what they’re feeling!

[Hidayah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sharp, and packed with science-backed information about what happens in and to our body when we’re heartbroken. Validating and helpful.

[Evelyn Amaral Garcia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The usual self help book information: brain scans, addiction, the pain is real, walk in nature blabla

[Kathleen Abuda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Libby, it was okey, nothing groundbreaking, but all the advice were practical..

[Liv Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging and easy to read for a book of this ilk. Well researched and written in a way that makes more complicated concepts feel accessible and personally relevant. Some great insights to be gleaned, though notably repetitive in parts.

[Sadia ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn’t for me, but if you’re into the science side of things, it will definitely be for you. I found it a bit hard to follow and, at times, felt more like a chore to read. But if you love all the science bits, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.