Hi hi!
I just wanted to write a quick little note to all the survivors out there.
You guys are so courageous and strong, I know you don't necessarily feel that way, but YOU ARE! The sheer fact that you are STILL alive, still living, still fighting the good fight is proof. I can't imagine the horrors each of you must have faced, or the demons you still wrestle with.
Although it's nothing like what you might have endured...during my own countless years of therapy for chronic depression I found a few coping tips/self esteem boosters that I hoped might help.
Ice cubes- if you have anxiety attacks, ice chips/cubes can be your best friend. Eat or suck on them slowly and they reduce your heart rate, no medication required!
Make a wall of achievements- I always felt like I had achieved nothing...but when I wrote each task down that I'd done on a sticky note and just slapped it on a wall... they soon add up. It's a visual reminder that you have done lots and lots of great, positive things.
The other thing that I found helped is put up posters or signs (a computer printer is handy for this) of whatever you want to beat into your head. ie: I am a good person, I am worthy of love and being loved. Even tiny private notes are great for this... inside your wallet, in your car. And when you take notice of them... say them out loud.
Worry stones- get a nice smooth rock, or crystal or whatever suits your fancy (ie: acorn, seed pod) Try to put all that negative energy/worries into the stone. When your stone gets too 'heavy' Throw it away, or bury it and get a new one.
Fuzzy Hot Water bottle- A lot of places sell covers for hot water bottles that look like animals. This makes your 'stuffed animal' warm and comforting. It would be pretty easy to modify an exsisting pillow stuffie to hold a hot water bottle as well.
Recovery from any emotional or physical trauma is never an easy one. But to move thru it... embrace the darkness, accept that there is nothing you can do to change the past (this is a hard one), and continue on; that's the winner's circle. I admire all of you for your bravery and courage to talk about this and your emotions. You should all be very proud of yourselves and give yourselves a pat on the back. You are you and no one can take that away!
I found this site because my friend was abused/assaulted by his mother and I wanted to understand more and help him as much as I could.
I also wanted to thank Mike for his kindness in chatting with me! Thanks Mike!
Take care all!
GIANT HUGGLES!
Keri
You guys are so courageous and strong, I know you don't necessarily feel that way, but YOU ARE! The sheer fact that you are STILL alive, still living, still fighting the good fight is proof. I can't imagine the horrors each of you must have faced, or the demons you still wrestle with.
Although it's nothing like what you might have endured...during my own countless years of therapy for chronic depression I found a few coping tips/self esteem boosters that I hoped might help.
Ice cubes- if you have anxiety attacks, ice chips/cubes can be your best friend. Eat or suck on them slowly and they reduce your heart rate, no medication required!
Make a wall of achievements- I always felt like I had achieved nothing...but when I wrote each task down that I'd done on a sticky note and just slapped it on a wall... they soon add up. It's a visual reminder that you have done lots and lots of great, positive things.
The other thing that I found helped is put up posters or signs (a computer printer is handy for this) of whatever you want to beat into your head. ie: I am a good person, I am worthy of love and being loved. Even tiny private notes are great for this... inside your wallet, in your car. And when you take notice of them... say them out loud.
Worry stones- get a nice smooth rock, or crystal or whatever suits your fancy (ie: acorn, seed pod) Try to put all that negative energy/worries into the stone. When your stone gets too 'heavy' Throw it away, or bury it and get a new one.
Fuzzy Hot Water bottle- A lot of places sell covers for hot water bottles that look like animals. This makes your 'stuffed animal' warm and comforting. It would be pretty easy to modify an exsisting pillow stuffie to hold a hot water bottle as well.
Recovery from any emotional or physical trauma is never an easy one. But to move thru it... embrace the darkness, accept that there is nothing you can do to change the past (this is a hard one), and continue on; that's the winner's circle. I admire all of you for your bravery and courage to talk about this and your emotions. You should all be very proud of yourselves and give yourselves a pat on the back. You are you and no one can take that away!
I found this site because my friend was abused/assaulted by his mother and I wanted to understand more and help him as much as I could.
I also wanted to thank Mike for his kindness in chatting with me! Thanks Mike!
Take care all!
GIANT HUGGLES!
Keri