“You don’t deserve the abuse, it’s definitely not your fault and you don’t have to live with it.”
How to Heal from Mental & Emotional Abuse
It is important to note, that these types of support are not a replacement for professional help. Journey to Empowerment is an organization that supports women healing from emotional abuse and recognizes that each woman is on her own path and makes her own decisions for her recovery.
Here are some ways to start your Journey to Empowerment:
Rediscover Yourself
Awareness of who you realy are and what you really want will give you plenty of insight into your inner self. Self-discovery is really just a process of examining your life, figuring out what’s missing, taking steps toward fulfillment. Start by visualizing your ideal self, you don’t need to begin with a complete picture — after all, your journey is all about discovering what the full picture is. Find and explore your passions, try new things, evaluate your skills and identify what you value about yourself.
Find Your Sense of Self
Knowing who you are allows you to live with purpose and develop satisfying relationships, both of which can contribute to overall good emotional health. Your self-image can also fuel recognition of your own worth and makes it easier to accept your entire self, both the traits you’re proud of and those you’d like to improve. If you do feel dissatisfied with certain aspects of yourself, you’ll have an easier time addressing those areas when you have a strong sense of your nature and abilities. So many of us think about others first; knowing what brings you happiness and making your own choices will help you feel empowered.
Make a Self-Care Checklist That Actually Works for You
When you feel physically and emotionally well, it’s often easier to navigate stressors in healthy and productive ways. That’s what makes self-care practices that promote mind and body wellness is so important. Make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep, taking care of your health, praticing good nutrition, exercising and giving yourself physical intimacy (think hugs, massages, spending time with a pet). Reduce stress, not taking on to much, learning new skills and being mindful of your mental health are good ways to attend to yourself. Think of your self-care plan as a living document, one that grows with you. Revisiting it regularly can help you identify less impactful strategies and add in more beneficial approaches.
Support Groups
Support groups can be a valuable resource for individuals who have experienced emotional or mental abuse. These groups provide a safe and supportive space for women to share their experiences and emotions with others who have had similar experiences. Being able to talk about the abuse with others who understand and believe them can help women feel less alone and more supported. It can also provide an opportunity for women to gain insight and perspective from others who have gone through similar situations.
Support groups can also offer education about emotional and mental abuse and provide information about resources and options for addressing and healing from the abuse. Participating in a support group can also help women develop coping skills and strategies for managing their emotions and dealing with the effects of the abuse. It can also provide a sense of empowerment and help women feel more in control of their lives. Overall, a support group can provide a sense of community and offer the emotional support and practical guidance that can be helpful in healing and moving forward after experiencing emotional or mental abuse.
Counseling
Counseling can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse. It provides a safe and supportive space for women to talk about their experiences and emotions with a trained professional who can offer guidance and support. Counseling can help women process their emotions and understand the impact that the abuse has had on their lives. It can also provide an opportunity for women to learn coping skills and strategies for managing their emotions and dealing with the effects of the abuse.
Counseling can also help women develop a better understanding of the dynamics of abuse and identify any unhealthy patterns in their relationships. This can be especially helpful for women who may be unsure about whether their experiences constitute abuse or who may have difficulty recognizing and addressing the abuse in their lives. In addition to helping women understand and cope with their experiences, counseling can also help women develop a sense of empowerment and control over their lives. It can provide the tools and support necessary for women to make positive changes and move forward in a healthy and positive way.
Overall, counseling can be a valuable resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering the support and guidance necessary for healing and moving forward.
Mentoring
Mentoring can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, as it provides the opportunity to work with a trained professional or experienced individual who can offer guidance and support. A mentor can provide a safe and supportive space for women to talk about their experiences and emotions and receive guidance and encouragement. They can help women identify goals and develop strategies for achieving them, and provide support and accountability as women work towards those goals.
Mentoring can also provide an opportunity for women to develop new skills and knowledge, as a mentor can offer guidance and resources to help women learn and grow. This can be especially helpful for women who have experienced abuse, as it can provide a sense of purpose and empowerment as they work towards their goals. Overall, mentoring can be a valuable resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering guidance, support, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Life Coach
A life coach is a trained professional who helps individuals identify and achieve personal and professional goals. They can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, as they can provide guidance and support as women work towards their goals. A life coach can work with women to identify areas of their lives that they want to improve or change and develop strategies for achieving those goals. They can provide support and encouragement as women work towards their goals and help them identify and overcome any obstacles or challenges they may face. Life coaching can also help women develop new skills and knowledge, as a coach can provide resources and guidance to help women learn and grow. This can be especially helpful for women who have experienced abuse, as it can provide a sense of purpose and empowerment as they work towards their goals. Overall, a life coach can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering guidance, support, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Meditation
Meditation can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse. It is a practice that involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for mental and emotional well-being. For women who have experienced abuse, meditation can provide a sense of calm and relaxation, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help women develop greater self-awareness, which can be helpful in understanding and managing their emotions. Meditation can also provide an opportunity for women to connect with their inner selves and find a sense of inner peace and balance. This can be especially helpful for women who have experienced abuse, as it can help them feel more grounded and centered in the midst of difficult emotions and experiences. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to have physical benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and improving sleep. Overall, meditation can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, providing a sense of calm and self-awareness that can be beneficial in healing and moving forward.
Yoga
Yoga is a physical and mental discipline that involves a series of postures, breathing techniques, and meditation practices. It has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for physical and mental well-being. For women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, yoga can be a helpful resource for stress reduction and relaxation. The combination of physical postures, deep breathing, and meditation can help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety and tension. Yoga can also help women develop greater self-awareness and concentration, as the practice involves being present in the moment and focusing the mind on the breath and movements. This can be especially helpful for women who have experienced abuse, as it can provide a sense of grounding and inner peace in the midst of difficult emotions and experiences. In addition to the mental and emotional benefits, yoga has also been shown to have physical benefits, such as improving flexibility, strength, and balance. It can be particularly beneficial for women who may have experienced physical abuse, as it can help to improve overall physical well-being and promote healing. Overall, yoga can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering stress reduction, relaxation, and improved physical and mental well-being.
Thai Chi
Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that involves slow, flowing movements and deep breathing. It has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for physical and mental well-being. For women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, tai chi can be a helpful resource for stress reduction and relaxation. The slow, mindful movements and deep breathing can help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety and tension. Tai chi can also help women develop greater self-awareness and concentration, which can be helpful in managing emotions and improving overall well-being. The practice of tai chi involves being present in the moment and focusing the mind on the movements and breath, which can help to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and increase self-awareness. In addition to the mental and emotional benefits, tai chi has also been shown to have physical benefits, such as improving balance, flexibility, and strength. It can be particularly beneficial for women who may have experienced physical abuse, as it can help to improve overall physical well-being and promote healing. Overall, tai chi can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering stress reduction, relaxation, and improved physical and mental well-being.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of therapy that involves the use of art-making as a means of expression and exploration. It can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, as it provides a non-verbal means of communication and self-expression. Art therapy can help women process their emotions and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. It can provide an outlet for difficult feelings and allow women to express themselves in a way that may be easier than using words. Art therapy can also help women develop greater self-awareness and understanding of their emotions and experiences. The process of creating art can allow women to explore their feelings and thoughts in a way that may be more intuitive and less intimidating than talking about them directly. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits, art therapy can also have physical benefits, such as improving fine motor skills and coordination. It can also be a fun and enjoyable activity that can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Overall, art therapy can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering a means of self-expression and self-exploration that can be beneficial in healing and moving forward.
Crystal Therapy
Crystal therapy, also known as crystal healing, is a holistic practice that involves the use of crystals and gemstones to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is based on the belief that crystals and gemstones have energetic properties that can help to balance and align the energy of the body and mind. For women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, crystal therapy may be viewed as a helpful resource for stress reduction and relaxation. The process of working with crystals and stones can be calming and meditative, and some people believe that certain crystals and stones can help to balance the energy in the body and promote feelings of peace and tranquility. Crystal therapy may also be viewed as a way to connect with the natural world and find a sense of grounding and inner peace. Working with crystals and stones can provide an opportunity for women to engage with the natural world in a mindful and meaningful way, which can be helpful in times of stress and uncertainty.
Breath Work
Breath work is a form of therapy that involves the use of conscious breathing techniques as a means of promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, as it provides a simple and effective way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Breath work can help women manage their emotions and reduce anxiety and stress. The process of focusing on the breath and using specific breathing techniques can help to calm the nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation and well-being. Breath work can also help women develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation, as the process of focusing on the breath can help to increase mindfulness and bring greater awareness to the present moment. This can be especially helpful for women who have experienced abuse, as it can provide a sense of control and empowerment in the midst of difficult emotions and experiences. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits, breath work can also have physical benefits, such as improving respiratory function and cardiovascular health. Overall, breath work can be a helpful resource for women who have experienced emotional or mental abuse, offering a simple and effective way to reduce stress and promote relaxation and self-awareness.
