Emotional Safety Plan

The experience of being abused and verbally degraded by someone is usually exhausting and emotionally draining. The process of surviving and building a new life requires much courage and incredible energy. To conserve your emotional energy and to support yourself in hard emotional times, there are a number of things you can do:

• Attend as many counselling sessions as you can.
• Join support groups of other women to gain support and strengthen your relationships with other people.
• Take time for yourself to read, meditate, play music, etc.
• Spend time with people who make you feel good and provide support.
• Take care of your sleep and nutrition needs.
• Keep a personal journal to write about your feelings, especially when you are feeling low and vulnerable. Keep it in a safe place or burn it after you are done.
• Take time to prepare yourself emotionally before stressful situations, like talking to your ex-partner, meeting with lawyers or attending court.
• Be creative and do whatever makes you feel good.
• Write something positive about yourself every day.
• Its OK to feel angry but find positive and constructive ways to express this feeling.
• Try not to overbook yourself. Limit yourself to one appointment per day to reduce stress.
• Become involved in community activities to reduce feeling isolated.
• Take part in social activities, e.g. movie, dinner, exercise.
• Do not find your comfort in excessive use of alcohol or food. It only serves to increase your depression.
• Avoid excessive shopping and impulsive buying.
• Join a health club or start an exercise program, it will increase your energy level and increase your sense of well being.
• Keep your resume up to date for possible upcoming job openings.
• Enroll in school to increase your skills.
• Take a part-time job to reduce isolation and improve your finances.

Remember that you are the most important person to take care of right now.