(ThyBlackMan.com) A physical assault is a traumatic experience that can deeply emotional and psychological impacts. These negative feelings can be unsettling, and prevent you from moving on with your life in a healthy manner. A physical assault can be simple or aggravated, and with or without a weapon. Contrary to popular belief, men are often victims, too. In fact, 1 out of 10 men are physically or sexually assaulted in the United States. Keep in mind, sexual assault isn’t just a woman’s issue, either. Regardless of the type of physical assault, coping with the aftermath is never easy. Here’s how you can get through it:
Seek Help
After experiencing a physical assault, one of the first things you want to do is seek help. If possible, turn to your family and friends for some familiar support, but you should also speak to a therapist or psychologist—especially if several weeks have passed and you still find yourself overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, nervousness, or anxiety.
Unfortunately, there’s some stigmas surrounding men and their ability to seek professional help. Men have been notoriously reluctant to seek mental health help. They are faced with strong societal expectations and consider “help” as a sign of “weakness.”
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Bottling emotions is highly unhealthy, and it’s one reason why men are at higher risk of suicide. Having strong feelings towards an assault is completely natural (in fact, the opposite would raise some concern). If you’re on the fence about speaking to a mental health professional, give it a try. One session can change the way you perceive therapy, and many people find that they actually enjoy it.
Get Yourself Into a Routine
One of the most difficult aspects of going through a physical assault is getting back into the swing of a regular routine. For example, you might find yourself struggling to eat or maintain a social life. Start by creating a written schedule in a planner or dry erase board to give yourself a guideline to follow. Include regular meals, exercise, and some social activity. Commit to this new schedule, and at the end of the day, you’ll feel better knowing you’ve completed everything on your list.
Attend Group Therapy
In addition to working through your feelings with a therapist or psychologist, attending group therapy can prove to be a powerful healing strategy. This allows you to join a community of people who have been through similar experiences, and who you can relate to on a much more personal level. As you trade stories and experiences, you’ll be able to receive feedback in a supportive and safe environment. This level of active listening and positive reinforcement can give you just the boost you need to start making healthy adjustments to your life.
Learn Defensive Strategies
After a physical assault, it’s normal to start thinking about ways you could have defended yourself and what you can do in the future. Shotokan Karate is a Japanese martial arts defense, in fact it’s the world’s most popular style of karate. It is focused on making you a better fighter, but also a better person. Learning defensive strategies and techniques is not only healthy for your mind and body to recuperate, but will allow you to feel more comfortable in your skin as you go through your one day after the next. For example, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu allows you to discover a deeper sense of confidence and a stronger sense of self.
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a dynamic martial art that leverages mental acuity and the power of self-defense,” says Elita MMA, a martial arts school that offers lessons in Houston. “Jiu-jitsu (also known as “the gentle art”) employs effective techniques that enable even a smaller, weaker individual to defeat a stronger opponent.”
Give Yourself Time
Any time someone goes through a traumatic experience, they need time to heal. Even when you’re working hard by using all the aforementioned techniques, it still takes time. Acceptance doesn’t happen overnight, and moving on isn’t easy. Do your best to refrain from feeling as if you have to jump right back into the swing of things, and try not to feel like a failure if progress isn’t happening as quickly as you’d like.
Staff Writer; Ron Jones
