26Sep
Listen, if you have been attacked and you managed to defend yourself, you already proved something important: you are stronger than you thought. But I know that afterwards the mind can play tricks on you. The fight might be over, but the memories, the fear and the what if thoughts keep coming back. That is normal. You are not weak for feeling that way.
Here is how you start taking your power back:
1. Admit it shook you
Do not pretend it was nothing. You went through a scary situation and it rattled your system. Accept that it happened and give yourself credit for surviving it.
2. Talk it out
Bottling it up is like carrying a backpack full of bricks. The more you speak, the lighter it gets. Whether it is a mate, your partner, a counsellor or even writing it down in a journal, let it out.
3. Move your body
Stress and fear sit in the body. Train, walk, run, garden, hit a punching bag. Do something that makes your body feel alive again. It reminds you that you are still in charge of yourself.
4. Learn your triggers
Maybe a loud bang makes you jump, or someone standing too close freaks you out. That is your brain staying on high alert. When it happens, take a deep breath, remind yourself that you are safe, and carry on. With time your brain learns that not every noise means danger.
5. Get proper help if needed
There is no shame in talking to a professional. Trauma counsellors in South Africa deal with this kind of thing every day. A few sessions can help you process the fear so it does not control you.
6. Rebuild your confidence
This is the most important step. Get back into things that make you feel strong. Train self defense, go back to the gym, take control of your routine. Each small step tells your brain: I am in charge, not the fear.
Here is the truth. The attack does not define you. What defines you is how you rise afterwards. You fought back, you survived, and now you are rebuilding.
Every day you choose to keep going, you are proving that you are stronger than what happened to you. You have got this.
About C.O.B.R.A.™ Self-Defense South Africa
C.O.B.R.A.™ Self-Defense South Africa provides the gold standard in reality-based self-defense training, drawing on extensive real-world experience from law enforcement, corrections and protective services. We deliver professional in-person training for corporates, private groups, families and friends, as well as structured online programmes. For enquiries, please contact us via email: info@cobradefense.co.za, or cell: 082 299 9117 or visit our website www.cobradefense.co.za.
When Self-Defense Is a Must, Nothing Else Will Do.
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