Self-Care for Survivors
There are times when the emotion and pain associated with a rape or sexual assault can be overwhelming. These feelings can come immediately after the assault or many years later. The following are things that you can do to take care of yourself as you recover from the assault that you experienced.
- Make yourself a cup of tea or a soothing warm drink.
- If it is safe to do so, go for a walk.
- Spend time talking with a trusted friend or family member.
- Take a bath.
- Spend time with a favorite pet.
- Workout: exercise helps to increase your body's production of endorphins which help you feel better.
- Read a favorite book.
- Write in your journal.
- Find a creative outlet - music, painting, writing poems, etc.
- Sign up for a self defense course - it may help you feel more in control.
- Eat healthy food.
- Most importantly, remind yourself that it is alright for you to feel these emotions, they are normal reactions to an abnormal event
Victims of rape or sexual assault should avoid doing the following things to cope:
- Relying on alcohol or drug abuse.
- Disclosing personal information in chatrooms or blogs.
- Seeking out situations in which you feel unsafe.
- Taking actions that undermine your self worth.
- Using food and unhealthy eating as a way to control your body and emotional state.
- Inflicting harm on your body.
- Blaming yourself for what happened.
- Make yourself a cup of tea or a soothing warm drink.
- If it is safe to do so, go for a walk.
- Spend time talking with a trusted friend or family member.
- Take a bath.
- Spend time with a favorite pet.
- Workout: exercise helps to increase your body's production of endorphins which help you feel better.
- Read a favorite book.
- Write in your journal.
- Find a creative outlet - music, painting, writing poems, etc.
- Sign up for a self defense course - it may help you feel more in control.
- Eat healthy food.
- Most importantly, remind yourself that it is alright for you to feel these emotions, they are normal reactions to an abnormal event
Victims of rape or sexual assault should avoid doing the following things to cope:
- Relying on alcohol or drug abuse.
- Disclosing personal information in chatrooms or blogs.
- Seeking out situations in which you feel unsafe.
- Taking actions that undermine your self worth.
- Using food and unhealthy eating as a way to control your body and emotional state.
- Inflicting harm on your body.
- Blaming yourself for what happened.