Dr. Danielle Forshee talked with Bustle about post Break-up Flings and Rebounds.
Why might we be primed to make impulsive decisions after a long-term relationship ends? Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., licensed clinical social worker and psychologist, explains that brain chemistry is to blame. After a breakup, it’s normal to feel lonely, sad, or depressed, and that’s because serotonin, the neurochemical that is responsible for happy feelings and good vibes, has plummeted. We then begin to crave a pick-me-up, like food or sex, to get our next rush. “We’re more prone to going back to an ex, going out and letting loose, and doing things that maybe we wouldn’t otherwise do, but feel really good, so that we can cope with the breakup,” Forshee says.
Beyond the comfort of realizing this is all exceedingly normal, there are actually lots of valuable lessons to take away from your rebound choices. For one, they can teach us a lot about ourselves and what we do and don’t want in more serious, future relationships, Forshee notes.
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