2022 November Articles Archives

Recovering from an abusive relationship

To live an independent life that is free from fear, it’s important that you take time for healing after leaving an abusive relationship to repair the damage to your self-worth and confidence. Being physically free from your abuser is just the first step. It can take much longer to feel emotionally free, but with the right support and patience, this is possible.

Perspective

Abuse is always the fault of the perpetrator, but many people blame themselves for allowing the abuse to happen, for not getting away sooner, or for the impact on the children. Accept that you weren’t to blame. Abuse is about power and force and nothing you could have done would have made any difference. Acknowledge that your courage has brought you to a place of healing.

Process and Accept your feelings

The damage caused by domestic abuse can be deep and long-lasting. Many survivors often show similar symptoms to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers. Distressing memories, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression can impact your quality of life long after the actual threat of abuse has gone.

All emotions, from feeling free and empowered to feeling lonely and missing your ex, are completely normal. Therapy can teach you helpful coping skills and offer emotional support during the recovery process. Journaling is also a great way to process your emotions, a safe space to reflect on your growth as time passes.

Look after yourself

Prioritise self-care and self-love so that you don’t find yourself in another abusive relationship.

Engage in hobbies and do things you used to love and were good at. Focus on things that build your confidence and help you regain emotional balance. You deserve it.
Take time and space for yourself each day and find ways to reward yourself.
Exercise regularly and practice relaxation techniques.
Learn a new skill, such as painting or self-defence.

Educate yourself about abuse

Learning about abuse can prevent you from similar situations in the future. Study the signs of abuse, why people fall in love with abusive partners and remain in unhealthy relationships, the potential barriers to leaving, and how abuse confronts us in different areas of life.

Build a strong support system

You’re not alone. A strong support system can include family, friends, a therapist, coach, personal trainer, and a support group. Very often someone in an abusive relationship becomes isolated from friends and family. Reconnect with them if you can or make new friends to rebuild your sense of self.

For therapeutic support, call Life Assist, at no cost to you or your family. Your health and well-being matters!

zara2022-10-31T06:34:01+00:00

6 Ways you can support people with disabilities

November is Disabilities rights awareness month. How inclusive are you towards disabled persons? Be the change. Here are 6 ways you can support people with disabilities.

Be sensitive to the words you use to avoid causing offence. Don’t use outdated terms such as “handicapped” or “crippled” and don’t tolerate disrespectful language.
Ask first and follow their lead. If you are unsure how to interact with a person with disabilities, ask them what they would prefer.
Speak directly to people with disabilities, not to their carer or family member.
Treat adults with disabilities as adults. Baby talk is not appropriate.
Listen patiently and attentively to a person who has difficulty speaking; do not try to finish their sentences for them.
A person’s mobility equipment such as their wheelchair or cane is part of their personal space. Don’t move these without the person’s permission.

If you are affected by disability, reach out to health247 for professional counselling and support.

zara2022-10-31T06:26:43+00:00

Why is a Will important?

A last will and testament is a legal document that lets you decide what happens with your belongings after you die. Yet, many people don’t have one. You may think you don’t have enough assets, or assume that your loved ones will automatically get everything you own. But this isn’t always true.

Save time, money, and stress for your loved ones

When you die without a will, you leave important decisions to the local courts. This can become a long, drawn out, expensive process causing trouble for your loved ones. For example, the courts may decide to sell your house to divide the proceeds to your family, leaving your current spouse without a home.

Streamline this process with a will and choose someone responsible to handle your estate (called an “executor”). The executor’s responsibilities are to make sure your wishes are carried out and all your affairs are taken care of. Without a will, your family will have to guess what your final wishes were. If there are complicated family dynamics, they won’t always agree. The lack of clarity may cause tensions which can last a lifetime.

The power of choice

With a will, you decide who gets your assets, and who to exclude, for example, an estranged spouse. A surviving parent will usually be given sole legal custody if one parent dies. But if both parents pass, a guardian will need to be responsible for all your children’s daily needs, including food, housing, healthcare, education, and clothing. If you don’t nominate a guardian in your will, a court will have to choose one for you. This could mean that someone you might not want, would be raising your kids. You can also make sure that a trusted person takes care of your pet after you die and even leave them funds to provide for your pet’s care. You may also decide to leave a positive mark on the world after you pass, by donating funds or assets to charities or causes that you believe in. You can include this legacy in your will.

It’s simple

It’s easy to make a will and many companies, such as banks, or insurance firms offer the service free of charge. You don’t necessarily need professional help to prepare a valid will unless you have a large or complex estate. Once you’ve drafted the document, it needs to be witnessed, usually by two adults of sound mind who know you well. Make sure that your family or executor knows where your will is and update it over time as your needs and the people in your life change. This will give you peace of mind.

Call LifeAssist to speak to a legal specialist to help you draw up a will. This service is at no cost to you.

zara2022-10-31T06:10:17+00:00

Prostate Testing 101

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men, with an estimated 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. A discussion with your doctor for the screening for prostate cancer is recommended for men ages 55 to 69 years, and sometimes even at younger or older ages based on individual risk circumstances.

Since the early 1980s, doctors have used a blood test to identify prostate cancer at its earliest, most curable stage. The blood test is known as a ‘PSA test’ because it measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland and also by most prostate cancers.

However, PSA screening has become a hotly debated topic for the following reasons:

Testing may lead to a diagnosis of prostate cancer that is not likely to harm you or kill you but may cause you unnecessary anxiety.
A high PSA level may not necessarily be caused by prostate cancer and a low PSA level can be reassuring even though prostate cancer may still be possible. Only additional testing can diagnose cancer.
Treating prostate cancer found through screening may lead to side effects of erectile dysfunction or urine leakage. In this way, the treatment of some prostate cancers may cause more health problems for you than the cancer would have if left alone.

However, the benefits of screening are many:

PSA testing can detect early-stage cancers that a rectal examination would miss.
Identifying cancer early can help reduce symptoms, make treatment easier, or prevent prostate cancer deaths.
Screening gives you the opportunity to monitor the cancer closely. Most prostate cancers found by screening are considered low-risk and can be managed without surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. In some cases, they just need to be monitored regularly with blood tests, x-rays, follow-up appointments, and potentially prostate biopsies. In other words, you can delay or avoid treatment until the cancer shows signs of increasing its activity.
Knowing your PSA level and family history can help a provider determine your risk for prostate cancer.

IMPORTANT TAKE-AWAY: The only way to know if you have cancer is by screening, and without screening, you will not be able to have life-saving treatment if necessary. Most prostate cancers are considered low-risk and do not require treatment, but monitoring them will ensure they don’t become life-threatening. Speak to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and the pros and cons of screening.

If you or a family member are affected by a serious health condition, counselling can be helpful. Call LifeAssist if you have any questions – even the awkward ones!

zara2022-10-31T06:49:22+00:00