I recently watched a documentary about sailing around Cape Horn. In the rough seas, one of the subjects fell ill and his students suspected his recurring heart problem. To his relief, it turned out that she was only suffering from motion sickness, and the mood on board turned to laughter. Several hours later, the unfortunate soul emerged from his bunk in full health. When he was interviewed, she said that he really wanted to die during his illness.

How strange that this man who had heart surgery felt so sick from dizziness that he wished he were dead. Dizziness is triggered by the inner ear and eyes sending conflicting signals to the brain, causing nausea, pale skin, cold sweats, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. There are many treatments for the symptom, but the best and fastest solution is to stop the mixed messages by changing the situation, that is, getting off the boat.

So what does all this have to do with heartache?

Well, there are many similarities between the two. The stress of heartbreak can also cause nausea, headaches, pale skin, and feelings of wanting to die. It will also last for a period of time and you will emerge in full health. You may even find that friends and family are initially understanding but not overly concerned as time goes on “you’re not really sick after all.”

So what is the solution to heartbreak? Like motion sickness, there are many treatments for your conditions, but you’ll find that the sooner you “get off the boat,” the sooner you start to feel better.

If you have given all you can give, accept that it is over and look forward through the pain to a bright and happy future. The purpose of this article is not to be mean, but rather to let him know, however bad he feels right now, his pain will pass and you can laugh at him one day.