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The past week hasnt been an easy one, particularly for women.
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It was a testimony that, for many, felt gut-wrenchingly similar to our own experiences.
And then came the tauntingfrom pundits, people you know, and, eventually, thePresident.
But the events of the last week, this anger, it doesnt even feel new at this point.
Like trying to get your bearings in rough waters, the process can feel futile and frustrating.
SELF reached out to several experienced and insightfulmental healthprofessionals to get their advice and self-care tips.
Heres what they said.
Youre allowed to be sad, scared, and filled with rage.
We saw a woman struggling.
Were seeing the whole dynamic play out, the disempowering of the survivors story.
That is much more personal than a typical situation because it feels like it embodies an actual survivors experience.
For victims of sexual assault, the news can be particularly traumatizing right now.
Where you go from there I cannot say, but getting support will be the first step regardless.
So why is it so hard to do that?
For me, at least, it can feel like stepping away is ignoring the reality of the situation.
This conversation is happening whether Im engaging or notshouldnt I at least know whats being said?
Apparently, this is true for a lot of people.
I think sometimes people feel guilty about that, clinical psychologistStephanie Smith, Psy.D., tells SELF.
It feels kind of disingenuous to turn it off.
I actually think thats not true at all.
Its OK to recharge away from the news.
Smith suggests setting a few rules for limiting engagement, rather than ignoring it completely.
There can be a lot of positive in actually physically doing something.
That might mean signing a form letter to your congressperson or volunteering at a womens shelter.
It could even be thoughtfully listening to a friend who wants to share their story in this moment.
Take steps to advocate for your cause, says Howes.
When Im stressed or nervous, I notice that I clench my jaw and tense up my shoulders.
This can last for days before I realize Im even doing it, and by that point everything hurts.
A lot of people are having very physical reactions.
People are walking around with clenched jaws.
People are saying, Im angry like I havent been in a long time.
Take a second, right now, and do a quick scan of your body.
Are you holding a lot of stress or tension in any particular area?
Now attempt to drop your shoulders, relax your jaw and your forehead.
Rest your palms somewhere comfortable.
venture to notice where youre holding tension in your body a few times throughout the day.
This sounds like a lot of work but its really not.
Progressive muscle relaxation is simply tensing and relaxing various muscle groups in the body, explains Bonior.
Whatever works for you.
Some people feel like they need to withdraw and isolate when stressful events arise in their life.
One tip though: venture to focus these conversations on something exciting or positive.
Theres certainly a time for that, but it can quickly go off the rails, says Smith.
Along those lines, its also totally fine to take a break from certain social interactions right now.
You have the right to draw that line.
Put pen to paper and consolidate your own thoughts on the issue.
My example is I love to think about my yard, my garden, my flowers.
Maybe your thing is aparticularly awesome dogs Instagram.
Orseason 6 episode 2 ofWill and Grace.
“There’s power in truth.”
