Breakups can be brutal—especially if it is a divorce. Some people are able to bounce back right away and others sometimes can take years to heal and move on. New research reveals that it’s not optimism that pulls us through—it’s self-compassion.  Divorcees recover more quickly when they avoid being self-critical and recognize that they are not alone in their sadness.

Be kind to yourself—you may not be able to change what has happened to you, but you can control how you deal with it. Think of a divorce as an opportunity for a new beginning and be positive about your future.