Neutralizing Emotional Abuse - 3 Strategies For Reducing the Effects

Emotional abuse is insidious and often slowly escalates. It leaves no obvious physical scars, but the psychological damage can have an impact for years to come. An emotionally abusive partner seeks control in a relationship - so he or she may employ a variety of tactics to achieve that goal. Put downs, a feeling of imminent threats or consequences for defiance, demands that you only do certain things or see certain people, and withholding or demanding sex can all be forms of emotional abuse. Though it isn't easy, it is possible to overcome many of the effects of emotional abuse with help. Here are 3 strategies for reducing the negative effects of emotional abuse:

1. Take good care of yourself. It may seem strange, but promoting your physical health can go a long way to supporting your emotional well being. By eating right, avoiding highly processed junk foods, taking vitamins and supplements, and exercising regularly, you are increasing your physical health but also sending a message to your brain that you are important and worth taking good care of.

2. Surround yourself with those people in your life who love and support you unconditionally. With an abuser, you've been "programmed" with messages about how worthless, incompetent, crazy, and inferior you are. You need to hear different messages about you from the people who love and support you, and have no agenda to control or manipulate you. This will begin to reprogram the negative ways you have thought of yourself.

3. Learn to hone in on your instincts and listen to the messages they give you about what is healthy and safe, and what is not. A good way to begin this process is to start to become conscious of how different emotional situations impact your physical body. Do you feel relaxed with someone, or shamed, anxious, and fearful? Begin responding to these prompts and move away from negative, and toward positive experiences and people.

By the way, what is holding you back from making the best choices to achieve the life you deserve?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Strategies For Escaping Emotional Abuse", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-strategiesforescapingemotionalabuse.html

Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and "difficult" divorces, including the physical, emotional, practical and relationship components.