Yarn Bee

Yarn Bee

8 Coping Strategies for Abuse Survivors

Survivors in recovery find getting through some days more difficult than others. Having strategies for living will help you not to be stuck in the lows. I know because I am an abuse survivor.

1. Spiritual practice. Rely on your spirituality daily. Have none? Explore developing your own. Here are possibilities: praying, listening to nature, practicing yoga, belonging to a 12-step group, participating in worship services, meditating on sacred writing, or keeping a journal.

2. Self-care. Care for yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Practice good hygiene, be tender with your nutrition, have a fitness program, be self-affirming and self-forgiving.

3. Home-care. Clean and uncluttered living space contributes to a sense of self-worth. Having difficulties in this department, take one small doable task at a time.

4. Work. What work do you do to pay the bills? We are in hard economic times. Perhaps you are one of millions who lost their jobs. Temporary jobs are better than none. How is it with you?

5. Service. Volunteering is healing, and gets us out of ourselves. What might you do? Possibilities: have a neighbor who is house bound? What might you do to be helpful without being over-involved?

6. Creativity. Using your creativity helps your inner healing. Possibilities: gardening, painting, knitting, bee keeping, repairing clunkers, carving. What do you do? What are you drawn to?

7. Socialize. Don't isolate. Get together with others. Have no one? Join a support group. Go to a yarn shop and learn to knit or crochet, and hang out there. Take a class and make the effort to talk with one or two people. Ask someone to go to coffee. What are your ideas?

8. Seek and accept support. Don't try to go it alone. Doing that only serves to keep you in the lows, deepens depression, and worsens abuse symptoms. Take care of your medical needs. Let your provider know that you are a survivor, ask for help with depression. Seek professional counseling. There are professionals, such as therapists, social workers, or psychologists, who specialize in abuse recovery. Finding professional help may be the most important step you take in your healing journey. Join a support group.

I am an abuse survivor and these coping strategies help me to progress in my recovery. There were times in my life that I had poor hygiene and didn't much care how I looked. I tended to isolate and depression was a constant companion. My spiritual practice and the professional care I receive supports me in healthy living. I'm well along in my healing journey. Let me know how you are doing.

About the Author

Judy Brutz is a Quaker chaplain and author, who writes and leads retreats for abuse survivors. She lives in Idaho with her family where she enjoys being in nature, photography, knitting for peace, volunteering, and practicing Tai Chi. Her forthcoming book, "You Are My Refuge," offers self-guided mini-retreats for survivors. http://judybrutz.net http://facebook.com