Preventing Triggering, Guarding Your Mental Health (6 Ways To Do It During Covid-19)
Vulnerability is a triggering feeling. Itās that too familiar place you have been in your own recovery from narcissistic abuse. Anything that touches that same āfeeling stateā of vulnerability can regenerate the response feelings of thatāfear and powerlessness.
Survivors, especially need to recognize two things:
- While you are at risk of feeling triggered because you have, or had, trauma,
- YOU more than anyone know how to get through tough times.
1. Being Informed But Not Overwhelmed
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news or social media which may generate overwhelm. Early in recovery you had to find accurate sources of information to understand what was happening, and the process is the sameāfind reputable information to decrease fear and increase preparedness.
futureā which can set off feelings of powerlessness. Keeping your thinking in-check helps to regulate your emotions and stay away from the feelings of vulnerability.
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3. Jack Up the Self-Care
This IS the time to āupā your self-care regimen. Everything you have learned about how to self care for yourself in the early days of recovery will give you the knowledge to utilize now. Utilize soothing skills to reduce symptoms such as belly-breathing, grounding techniques, peaceful imagery, calming sounds, laughter, music/singing, art, and relaxation activities.
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often you self-care, what you are going to do outside to get a little air and exercise, maybe what online class or workshop you will take during this time.
5. Meaningful Distraction
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6. Stay Connected
Recovery is all about community. We heal in relation to others. So, stay connected to others during this timeāthose friends and family who are not exhibiting vicarious trauma and fear of the future that could be triggering.
Have a phone buddy you check in with daily. Reach out to those people you have āmeant to stay in contact withā like old friends that fell away during the pathological relationship. Might be time to make āamendsā for the damage the narcissistic relationship did to your OTHER relationships.
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