Going through difficult times can be challenging. Dealing with everything can be overwhelming, but a movie or a song can suddenly unlock emotions.
Until two years ago, I could feel the emotions from films and songs, but now I am hypersensitive to hidden emotions within these mediums. Similar sensation to Bradley Cooper when he took the pills in Limitless.
These mediums provide me with new perspectives that resonate with my experiences, allowing me to feel more understood and validated. Seeing or hearing someone else’s story helps me process my emotions and make sense of my feelings.
Through research, I discovered that emotional resonance or connection is used to describe this feeling. For those going through difficult times, art, music, and other forms of media can be therapeutic, providing a way to cope and find comfort. Coping strategies for difficult times are essential for anyone looking for support.
As someone fascinated by qualitative research, I was excited when I stumbled upon an article that focused on the coping strategies used by women who have survived childhood sexual abuse. Reading it gave me a deeper understanding of my emotions and the coping methods I have used during difficult times.
In this post, I want to explore the survival and coping strategies identified in the article and share my reflections on their relevance to my experiences. The centre can provide coping strategies for difficult times, which can help others navigate their emotional journeys.
What is emotional resonance or emotional connection?
Emotional resonance or connection occurs when something external (art or media), such as a piece of music or a movie, resonates with a person’s internal emotional state.
It helps them to better understand or process their emotions more intensely. It can also be called emotional catharsis or release, as it allows a person to release or express feelings that may have been bottled up or repressed.
Emotional resonance is a subjective experience and can vary from person to person. We are all different, so what resonates emotionally with one person may not resonate with another. However, studies have shown that certain types of art and media, such as music, with strong emotional content. It can have a universal emotional appeal that transcends cultural and language barriers.
In a nutshell, science has shown emotional resonance to be a natural and valuable aspect of human emotion and creativity. It can help us connect with our inner selves, explore our feelings, and find meaning and cleansing in our experiences.
Overview of the Article
This article explores the experiences of women who have survived childhood sexual abuse. The researchers used a grounded theory approach to analyse the interviews of 25 women who shared their stories of abuse and how they coped with the aftermath.
The study found that the women experienced fear, helplessness, and lack of control. They used strategies to manage these emotions, including avoiding overwhelming feelings and finding ways to cope with their powerlessness. The women’s coping strategies were categorised into five themes: minimising the impact of abuse, creating a safe haven, utilising resources, rebuilding trust, and accepting the past.
The study highlights the importance of understanding the experiences of survivors of childhood sexual abuse and the strategies they use to cope with the emotional aftermath. The researchers recommend that healthcare professionals and therapists incorporate survivor-led approaches to help individuals develop effective coping strategies and support their healing process.
My Coping Strategies and How They Relate to the Study
Throughout my life, just like almost everyone. We all face challenges and have developed coping strategies for difficult times. While reading the article on the coping strategies used by women who have survived childhood sexual abuse. I realised that I had been using similar techniques subconsciously.
One of my coping strategies was trying to practice the art of forgiveness. In a blog post, I talked about how I struggled to forgive those who wronged me. But I eventually realised that forgiveness was necessary for my own emotional well-being. Another strategy I use is finding ways to cope with challenges. Facing challenges head-on and finding ways to cope can help build resilience. Finally, as discussed in a third blog post, I strive to embrace change and move forward.
When I read the article on the coping strategies used by survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I could relate to their experiences of feeling helpless, powerless and lacking control. The women in the study used strategies to manage these emotions, including avoiding being overwhelmed by their feelings and finding ways to cope with their helplessness and powerlessness.
The coping strategies used by the women in the study were categorised into five themes:
- Minimising the impact of abuse.
- Creating a safe haven.
- Utilising resources.
- Rebuilding trust.
- Accepting the past.
These coping strategies for difficult times helped the women survive, cope, heal, and hope.
Coping Strategies for Difficult Times: Five Stages to Guide You Through
Navigating difficult times can be challenging, but having a framework to guide you through the process can be helpful. Building on insights from survivors of childhood sexual abuse and experts in grief, I have identified five stages that can help you cope and heal:
Stage 1: Acknowledge and Accept the Reality
Acknowledge the situation and accept the reality of the difficult time you are going through. Allow yourself to feel the emotions and pain that come with it. Then, seek out support from loved ones or a therapist.
Stage 2: Find Coping Mechanisms
Identify coping mechanisms that work for you, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling. Seek out new activities or hobbies that can provide a sense of purpose or distraction. Connect with others who have gone through similar experiences for support and advice.
Stage 3: Develop Resilience
Build resilience by focusing on self-care, such as getting enough sleep and eating well. Practice self-compassion and forgive yourself for any mistakes or setbacks. Set realistic goals and take small steps towards them.
Stage 4: Take Action and Embrace Change
Take action to address the problematic situation. This may involve problem-solving, changing your life, or seeking additional resources or support. Accept that change is a part of life and embrace it as an opportunity for growth and development.
Stage 5: Reflect and Reassess
Reflect on your experience and reassess your coping strategies. Ask yourself what worked and didn’t and what you learned about yourself and your resilience. Celebrate your progress and accomplishments, no matter how small they may be.
Conclusion on Coping Strategies for Difficult Times
Coping strategies for difficult times are essential for maintaining our emotional well-being and helping us navigate life’s challenges. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have developed coping strategies that can apply to anyone facing difficult times.
Through understanding and learning from their experiences, we can gain insight into our coping strategies and learn additional techniques to help us through difficult times.
Emotional resonance, or our connection to art or media, is a natural and valuable aspect of human emotion and creativity. It can help us connect with our inner selves, explore our feelings, and find meaning and cleansing in our experiences.
When we are going through tough times, music, movies, and other forms of media can provide us with new perspectives that resonate with our experiences, allowing us to feel more understood and validated.
We are all complex animals, each person’s journey is unique, and there’s no right or wrong way to navigate challenging times by acknowledging the difficulty, seeking support, developing coping strategies, taking action, and reflecting on our experiences. We can find our way through tough times and move towards healing and growth.
It’s essential to find what works for us and continue to move forward. I feel like I’m stuck in quicksand, sinking deeper with every step and unable to escape the feeling that I’m doomed for life. But, with the right mindset and coping strategies, we can become stronger and more resilient than ever.
I often seek justice for wrongdoings to accelerate acceptance and healing during difficult times. If I am successful, I will be sure to let you know.
Sources
- Dave Miranda, (2011), ‘The Role of Music In Adolescent Development: Much More Than The Same Old Song’, [Accessed 28 February 2023]
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler, (2014), ‘The Five Stages of Grief
- Help Guide, ‘Coping With Grief and Loss’, HelpGuide.org, [Accessed 28 February 2023]
- Patrik Juslin and John Sloboda, (2001), ‘Psychological Perspectives on Music and Emotion’, [Accessed 28 February 2023]
- Patrik Juslin and John Sloboda, (2010), ‘Music and Emotion: Theory and Research’, [Accessed 28 February 2023]
- Susan Hallam, (2010), ‘The Power of Music: Its Impact on the Intellectual, Social and Personal Development of Children and Young People’, [Accessed 28 February 2023]