Feeling heartbroken? Discover insights from bestselling author Florence Williams as she delves into the science behind emotional pain. Gain valuable tips on how to heal and navigate through difficult times.

For Williams, this is personal. When her husband left their 25-year marriage, she went through a lot – from sleepless nights and stomach pains to heart palpitations and even Type 1 diabetes. The doctors suggested that her emotional trauma from the divorce might have triggered the autoimmune condition. Being an award-winning science writer, Williams delved into the world of research and therapy to understand how heartbreak and loneliness impact both the body and mind. Her findings are now in her bestseller, "Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey."

This week, as love takes the spotlight, we wanted to acknowledge those who've experienced love's loss. So, we reached out to Williams to discuss the science behind heartbreak and seek her advice on navigating the emotional and physical pain.

Q: How has your book been received, and what do readers often tell you?

A: Many people contact me, expressing gratitude. They say, "Thank you. I feel seen. Now I understand why I got sick or what happened to my body. I don’t feel as alone."

Regardless of how your heartbreak manifests, it's comforting to know you're not abnormal for feeling it deeply. As mammals, we're wired to take the loss of attachment seriously. Heartbreak affects not only our emotional well-being but also our physical health.

In essence, heartbreak is significant – it impacts both our mental and physical health.

When someone turns to you for guidance through the maze of heartbreak, what do you say? Well, first things first – let's steer away from that fight-or-flight mode. It's a real health-wrecker, keeping us from sweet slumber and leaving us feeling on edge. Picture it like a buzzsaw revved up but with nothing to cut; you're all amped up because suddenly, safety is a distant memory. It's like wandering alone in the woods, constantly glancing over your shoulder, expecting trouble.

Now, how to dial down the chaos? Well, that's a bit of a personal journey. In my case, walks in the woods, especially with friends, did the trick. Breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation – the classics you always hear about – are pretty handy too. They help dial down the internal volume, making us feel a bit more centered and secure.

Then comes the crucial question – how to shake off that lonely ache? Connection is the key. Reach out to those who've danced with heartbreak before, or surround yourself with the warmth of friends and family who adore you. Let them remind you that, despite the floor collapsing beneath your self-esteem, you're still a remarkable, loveable human.

Open up with vulnerability. Sharing a piece of your pain is like extending an invitation for others to unveil theirs. Heartbreak is a shared human tale, after all.

Lastly, find meaning in this tumultuous experience. What lessons can you carry with you into the future? How does this heartbreak reshape you into a better listener, a better friend, and, if romance is on your radar, a better partner? It's about turning the page and discovering the silver lining in the storm.

Have you ever experienced heartbreak so deep that you felt lost in its grip? Well, there's a little something I discovered during those tough times, thanks to a chat I had with a psychologist at the University of Utah. Turns out, finding beauty and awe can be an unexpected remedy for the pain of grief and anxiety. So, I decided to make it a daily habit to seek out some beauty.

The idea here is that we can actually teach ourselves to notice and appreciate beauty more. When we make that effort, it's like stepping outside of ourselves, even if just for a moment. It serves as a reminder that there's this vast and beautiful world around us, one that we'd like to feel a part of once more. Tuning into beauty creates a sense of connection with the world.

I believe this advice is undervalued, and more people should know about it. It's pretty straightforward: nudge yourself to go out and find something beautiful. And when you do stumble upon it, take a few moments to really soak it in, breathing it in deeply. It might just surprise you how this simple practice can bring a sense of calm and safety during the storm of heartbreak.

Hey there! Ever think about the last time you were just blown away by something beautiful?

So, I'm in Denver, Colorado, and we recently got hit with this huge snowstorm. I geared up, took my dog out, and started strolling under the snow-covered trees. It was amazing! I couldn't help but get captivated by how the snow was sticking to all sorts of branches.

Picture this: red berries, blackberries, pine needles – a whole winter wonderland. The snow had its own little art show on these branches. Each tree had its own style, you know? And as I passed by each one, I found myself wondering, "What's the snow up to? How's it catching the light?" I totally got into it. It turned out to be a really cool, fun little moment for me.

Have you felt that deep ache again, the one that settles in your chest, since the time you penned your book?

I'd say the heartbreak I've been through lately has taken a different form. It's woven into the fabric of the climate, tangled in the threads of the pandemic, and embedded in the bittersweet reality of my kids venturing off to college, turning our home into an empty nest. Life, you know, throws its share of sorrows our way, big and small, be it collectively or individually.

I sense a shift in myself, a heightened sensitivity to pain and grief. Oddly, I don't see it as a problem; rather, it's a sign that my heart has expanded, become more open and receptive. In some strange twist, I've found a deeper well of love within me, and as it turns out, love carries its own share of pain. It's the nature of the beast, you could say. Yet, if we keep in mind what makes this world beautiful, we might just find a way to embrace those intricate and challenging emotions all at once.

Digging into our past heartaches can be more than a journey of understanding; it becomes a wellspring of inspiration. It not only helps us decipher the past but also motivates us to stand with others, to take up the battles that demand fighting, all in the quest to make this world a better place.