Author Margaret Atwood once said: “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” Atwood’s chilling words sum up what nearly all women are feeling in response to the recent tragedy of Eliza Fletcher. But Eliza Fletcher’s story is not the first of its kind, a reality of which many women are painfully aware. The fact is many women are unable to embrace the benefits of an early morning run because they are afraid of stories like this one. Sadly, this fear is valid. Fear is an appropriate and completely understandable response to the recent news.
Many women are experiencing a very real trauma response in the aftermath of the news surrounding Eliza Fletcher. Not only has the tragedy aggravated the pre-existing fear that nearly all women have in general, but women who have experienced being stalked, attacked in public, or assaulted, may be especially triggered, and feel as if “it’s happening again.” Unfortunately, when emotionally triggering news occurs, women are once again faced with a traumatizing reality: the world is not always safe.
This sad reality often elicits a sense of paralyzing fear, and because fear can feel like an unsolvable problem, feelings of helplessness may also be experienced. Emotional dysregulation is a common trauma response, and it is our desire to partner with women to help them heal and emotionally recalibrate.
If you are currently coping with fear as a result of the news regarding Eliza Fletcher, then we encourage your efforts to process the fear. Here are three suggestions for coping with emotionally triggering news:
1. Practice self-care. Traumatic responses are very similar to a PTSD response, and self-care can be helpful for mindfully returning to the present moment. Self-care looks different for everyone. For some, self-care may be a time of rest, reflection, processing, nurturing, releasing, or all the above. The point of self-care is to restore your inner sense of calm and promote emotional regulation, so any healthy activity that promotes a sense of well-being and safety is encouraged. Breathing exercises are an especially helpful way for working through a triggered moment of dysregulation, because it triggers your mind in a positive way to recalibrate to calm. For other mindful coping exercises please read: 5 Ways to cope with PTSD by yourself
2. Keep calm and carry on. Some women, especially women who enjoy running, may choose to express self-love by facing their fears head on. If you decide to cope with your triggers by keeping calm and carrying on, then we support you. You have every right to go for a run whenever you feel ready.
Running safety tips:
· Run with a partner or in a group whenever possible
· Avoid earbuds or only use one
· Bring your cellphone and download one of the geo-tracking safety apps for runners
· Carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp
· Know your route and avoid dark/isolated areas
· Have a few different routes and switch them up
· Run with a handheld self-defense device (many are designed for female runners)
· Make sure a trusted friend or family member knows your running routine, schedule, and route
3. Seek professional support.
You are not alone. If you are struggling to cope with your emotional triggers, then working collaboratively with one of our compassionate, trauma-informed, and certified EMDR Therapists at Therapy Cincinnati can be a healing step towards resolving traumatic trigger symptoms and emotions associated with trauma. If you would like to learn more about how trauma therapy works, please contact us today for a free, 15-minute phone consultation.
The process of healing and coping with traumatic emotional triggers is an act of bravery, and we want to applaud the more than 2,100 people who showed up to symbolically complete Eliza’s morning run in her honor. The strength and healing that is found when we come together and refuse to give in to fear is a true testament to the human spirit. Fear can run circles in the mind, but fear will never outrun the courage of a woman.
Trauma and PTSD treatment in Cincinnati
Therapy Cincinnati is a mental health clinic specializing in EMDR, PTSD treatment, and trauma therapy for women located in the Cincinnati area (and via telehealth!), and we are ready to partner with you on your journey towards growth and healing. Learn more about us and how we work.