September 14, 2021
Health Strategies That Can Help You Heal
Jennifer Scott, Author
Many survivors of trauma and abuse struggle when it comes to their health. Issues with anxiety or depression may make it difficult to for them to participate in healthy activities due to fears relating to the events causing them to make unhealthy choices.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t move forward. By choosing the right health strategies, you can start healing, working toward a brighter tomorrow. If you aren’t sure where to begin, Let Your Light Shine On offers some optimum tips that can help restore a mindset of positivity.
Ask for Help
Many survivors of trauma abuse shy away from asking for help. They might assume that reaching out means they aren’t strong or that no one would understand what they’re going through.
In reality, asking for help is a sign of strength. It takes courage to ask for support when you need it, so don’t look down on yourself for requesting a helping hand. Also, many people have had experiences akin to yours, so you certainly aren’t alone.
If you aren’t sure where to turn, finding a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist whose expertise revolves around trauma and abuse is a wise place to start. These trained professionals will support you as you process the events and develop strategies for moving forward.
Support groups can also be effective. They encourage you to share your experiences with others who can identify, letting you feel less alone. Plus, those who are further along in their healing journey can provide you with guidance and let you know there is life after trauma and abuse.
By asking for help, you’re supporting your mental health in positive ways. That’s an important part of the wellness equation; so make sure you request assistance if the need arises.
Get Quality Sleep
Quality sleep is the foundation for a sound mind and body. As you’re sleeping, your body completes various critical processes, including repairing tissues, organizing mental information, and rejuvenating energy resources.
Generally, adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night, so ensure you focus on reaching this goal at a minimum. Additionally, if you have symptoms that could indicate a sleep disorder, such as sleep insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome and (RLS), narcolepsy. See a medical professional to get the treatment you need to ensure you’re getting the rest and well-being your body deserves.
Make Time for Exercise
Exercise is a powerful health benefit for your mind, body and soul. It positively impacts the body and assists in healing the mind too. By getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly, or 35 minutes/day, you can improve your sleep quality, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boost your attitude to one of glow.
Working out is manageable if you break down the 150 minutes into fifteen 10-minute sessions. You can fit it into even the busiest of schedules while experiencing all of the benefits.
Reignite Your Passion for Work
After experiencing trauma and abuse, it’s normal to look at aspects of your life differently. If your career is no longer satisfying or you’re experiencing burnout, then choosing a new path toward healing is the change you need for self-care and healing.
Consider what kind of work will reignite your passion. Then, develop an action plan to head in that direction.
If you don’t have the skill-sets to move upward toward your goals, sign up for an online degree program, whether it’s in business or to support people in the healthcare sphere. The approach is flexible, giving you time to learn, work, and handle your personal obligations. Plus, signing up is easy.
Once you have your degree, you’ll be ready to author a new chapter in your life. Having a blank page is an opportunity to breathe, exhale, and renewal. It can work wonders for your mental health, ensuring you can work in a field that you genuinely enjoy.
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April 20, 2021
Life After Abuse: Healing Means Moving On
Katie Conroy, Author
If you’re one of the millions of men and women who feel trapped in an abusive relationship, know that you don’t have to live this way. Let Your Light Shine On shares how it’s possible to exit the relationship and stop the abuse for good.
Making a safe exit
Your first priority is to plan a safe escape from your abuser. The National Domestic Violence Hotline explains that you must first evaluate your partner’s level of abuse and assess possible dangers to you and your children. Keep any and all evidence of abuse and identify places where you can receive help, such as with a friend, family member, or law enforcement agency.
Don’t fall victim to false promises
The average abuse victim returns to their abuser seven times before making a clean break. Abusers often falsely claim they will change, but proof isn’t in words — it’s in actions, and the actions rarely come. Your abuser will likely continue his or her abusive behaviors no matter how many times you accept them back into your life. Remember, you deserve more because you are worthy of dignity and respect. There is a magnificent life waiting for you on the other side of the brick wall of abuse labeled the magic zone. Be ready and willing when it opens the door.
Address the trauma, even if it hurts
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notes that intimate partner violence is one of the top causes of emotional trauma in the United States. Traumatic events — or in the case of abuse, a series of traumatic events — can lead to chronic physical health problems, depression, and substance abuse. When you want to truly heal, you must face your abuse head on. Consider speaking with a counselor or local clergy leader. This individual, along with group therapy, may help you work through the emotions associated with the abuse. The sooner you begin treatment, the better. Once you release your painful history, you will be ready to face your future with self-love, confidence, trust, and forgiveness.
Rebuild one day at a time
Your abuse likely did not start all at once. More often than not, patterns of abuse emerge over time. Likewise, you cannot expect to heal the moment you shut your abuser out of your life. You can begin the process by paying attention to your physical and mental health and taking some time to enjoy life on your terms. Even when you’re in the midst of trying to rebuild yourself financially, socially, and professionally, you should do something just for you, such as participating in a former favorite hobby. If possible, consider moving and making a career change. Start your home search online, and you’ll be better able to identify areas where you’ll feel safe settling down and that you can afford.
Face your finances
Unfortunately, one of the most difficult challenges for abuse survivors is reclaim their financial freedom. It’s arduous, but financial freedom, including buying a home, isn’t it out of reach. MarketWatch explains there are numerous down payment assistance programs, many of which require no down payment at all. You may need to learn — or relearn — how to balance a family budget. Depending on your overall lifestyle, you may also need to learn how to live with less money and change your habits to best fit your new income.
Get ready, get set, go!
Use your moving day as a turning point in your life. Consider hiring a moving company that can handle the heavy lifting. This is even more useful when you must retrieve personal belongings, such as furniture and electronics from the home that you shared with your abuser. When the truck is on the road, it’s time to leave that life behind.
The time you spent in an abusive relationship can’t be erased, but today and every day hereafter is a blank canvas. You have control and the power to write your story with the happy ending you deserve. You’ve Got This!
For empowering support, encouragement, and resources, subscribe to the Let Your Light Shine On FB group. You can also contact Dr. Kimberly Lees this website, letyourlightshineon.org for more personal matters.
