Coping Strategies Will Change Throughout Your Abuse Recovery

Every individual will have a unique experience with verbal abuse recovery. Each situation is different, resulting in a personalized journey for healing that requires changing tools and strategies. However, navigating which methods to use during your recovery process can be overwhelming. It can help to have various coping strategies in abuse recovery. 

Navigating Verbal Abuse Successfully

Facing verbal abuse can be challenging, especially when you aren't using effective coping strategies. Thankfully, there are dozens of ways to manage the side effects of verbal abuse. You can use one or more of these tools at any time during your healing process as necessary. Some helpful coping strategies in verbal abuse recovery include: 

• Setting clear boundaries
• Not retaliating 
• Knowing when to walk away 
• Remembering your self-worth

It's a good idea to keep an open mind and seek out alternative healing tools if some are no longer effective. I had to learn the hard way that although I would set clear boundaries, not everyone would respect them. So then, it would be up to me to know when to walk away to help preserve my self-esteem and avoid more exposure to verbal abuse.  

Not All Coping Strategies in Verbal Abuse Recovery Will Be Effective

Another unique attribute I found working with multiple mental health professionals during my recovery process was the diverse coping strategies available. Each counselor I spent time with gave me several choices to help me as I healed from verbal abuse. 

Although not all coping strategies in verbal abuse recovery will work for everyone, here are some ways I managed, even among the negative side effects I faced each day.

• Going for a walk with my dogs
• Using box-breathing techniques
• Meditating
• Avoiding potentially verbally abusive situations entirely
• Invoking primal self-care, such as eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep
• Maintaining and focusing on only healthy relationships

Surprisingly, there was a point in my healing journey where I could not meditate and would become frustrated even trying to relax. However, as I slowly began a life away from verbal abuse, I could recognize the power that meditation provided. I started incorporating it into my coping mechanism toolbox when I became overwhelmed. Each strategy has its place in my path to recovery. 

This short list has just a few ways I helped manage the aftereffects of a verbally abusive situation. So, whether you go for a walk by yourself or try breathing exercises, there are several ways to successfully move away from how verbal abuse makes you feel.