The worst response you can receive after telling your friend about your recent breakup is “you will be fine.” They may as well have saved themselves the energy of pronouncing an extra word and said “I don’t care” instead. But let’s extend an olive branch to our dear friends who give inadequate advice, perhaps they really believe that we’ll be fine, and if they believe it, perhaps we should too.

Then again, if you’re like me and you sit around contemplating what the hell happened and how the heck you ended up in the position you’re in now, you’ll probably need a better statement of grace than “you will be fine.” Emotions can cloud judgement, and it may be difficult to gauge our own well-being with a broken heart. That’s why I compiled a list of some surefire signs that you will be totally alright.

1) You are eating well and staying hydrated

Heartbreaks can hurt so much that it can literally inhibit your ability to eat and drink. It’s a sick feeling in the stomach and if you eat while that distress is present, there’s a high probability that you’ll end up puking it up. However, if you are able to eat and drink (water, not alcohol, a vital distinction) to your heart’s content, that’s a very good sign. As long as you’re eating clean, staying hydrated, and getting those vitamins in, life won’t be that bad. You can never be too sad or angry after a nice meal. If you have a friend that’s struggling with emotional distress, casually suggest grabbing a bite with them, it’ll make a world of a difference.

2) You are getting enough sleep

Post-breakup life is a serious mental challenge and sleep is necessary to recover both your mental and physical energy. Assuming that you don’t have a history of insomnia (or other disorders affecting sleep), being able to get your eight hours in everyday even after a breakup suggests that your soul is at peace. It also means that you’re getting the recovery necessary to take on the day and nothing makes you stronger than a full cycle of rest.

3) You are talking to others about it

Saying things out loud makes them much more real, so if you’ve told your friends or others that your relationships is over, it’s a telltale sign that you’ve accepted it and you’re ready to take the next steps in life. Active communication with other individuals outside of your ex indicates that you’re not a completely dependent person and when it comes down to it, you’ll be able to find a new circle of peers who will support you. Talk is not cheap, so much in life is accomplished simply by raising your voice, it’s how all relationships start in the first place. So keep talking because forming connections is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life.

4) Your day-to-day life didn’t change

If you have a job, you didn’t quit. If you’re in school, you didn’t drop your classes. If you regularly exercise, read, or etc., those aspects of your life are still a staple. Being able to continue doing what you’ve always been doing shows a commitment to other aspects of life outside of relationships, and pushing through the pain to continue grinding will absolutely pay off in the future. Plus, keeping busy is the number one rule of post-breakup recovery. Now, that doesn’t mean you are in a bad spot if you discontinued some routines, perhaps you were in a codependent relationship and the breakup is taking its toll on you. Setting aside time specifically to grieve is healthy, just don’t forget that you didn’t abandon your duties, they’re simply on hold.

5) You are going out

No, not to bars and clubs to find something or someone to numb the pain. I mean you go out to experience and enjoy life, feel the sunshine (or the rain)! Humans are naturally social creatures and being around others will keep you sane and give you perspective. Being contained within four walls all day will drive you nuts, but going out to experience society and nature will do wonders for your mental health. If you’re able to go out with a positive attitude and a hopeful mindset, you are doing wonderfully in your recovery process.

6) You changed or plan on changing your hair

It’s actually pretty amusing how common it is for people to change their hair drastically after a breakup, however, the reason why it’s so common is that it works. This may sound counter-intuitive, but changing your hair can symbolize the reclamation of your independence and identity. The fact of the matter is, the freedom you have while you’re in a relationship is completely different than the freedom of being single. Now that you’re only liable for yourself, you’re reaping the benefits of everything that comes with it, whether it’s changing your hair, your clothes, or your style. This isn’t a crisis, this is taking back full control of your life. You’re experimenting in ways that you couldn’t before and discovering a new and improved you. Down the road, you’re going to look back and be glad you did that.