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When a serious relationship ends, it's normal to feel somewhat adrift. For months, years, or even decades, you were anchored to a particular person, and now you're drifting free, not anchored to anybody but yourself. Being newly single is a strange sensation, and the longer and more serious the relationship you're leaving behind, the more difficult it can be to adjust.

But that's what the rebound relationship is for. Fun, casual, and oh-so-new, rebound relationships seem to have been created to help people move on after ending a serious relationship. Although there are a lot of rewards involved in having a rebound relationship, there are a few risks, too.

The Risks

The problem with starting a new relationship after ending an old one is perspective. You're used to being in a committed, serious relationship, so you tend to look at any new relationships from that same point of view. When you start a relationship with somebody new soon after ending an old one, it's easy to fall into the old, easy patterns you were used to with your ex. In other words, it's all-too-easy to get in over your head with somebody who is completely unsuitable for you. You may find, a few weeks or a few months later, that you've been high on being single and were wasting your time with somebody that you shouldn't have taken seriously. Casual dating is a skill, and one that often has to be re-learned.

Another risk when entering a rebound relationship is that the person you've begun dating will be, well... wonderful. When you've just broken off a long-term relationship, it takes some time to put down your baggage and be ready to move on. If one of your first post-breakup relationships is with the guy or girl of your dreams, chances are you won't be in a position to give yourself over to this new relationship. So soon after your breakup, you just won't be ready.

The Rewards

One of the best things about a rebound relationship is that it reintroduces you to the dating world. When you were in a serious relationship, it was probably like you had blinders on. You could look at other men and women, sure, but you didn't see anybody else as real relationship material when you were with your ex. Looking at somebody new in a romantic way, and having them look at you that way, too, can give a real kick start to your self-esteem. It helps you to begin feeling sexy, romantic, and desirable again after a painful breakup.

A rebound relationship is also a great way to help you get over your ex in general. There are other fish in the sea, and you should know, because you have one sitting next to you on your sofa, sharing a bottle of wine.

There are a lot of rewards to having a fun, casual rebound relationship after a messy break up. All you have to do to reap the rewards, and avoid most of the risks, is keep your rebound relationships casual. Don't look for real love right away, and let your self date around and get used to being single again before beginning your search for Mr. or Ms. Right.

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