Surf therapy offers tranquil setting for those dealing with mental health issues. Here's how it works.
In the latest installment in our "Breaking the Stigma" series, CBS News New York's Cindy Hsu went to the beach in the Rockaways to learn more about surf therapy.
Gina Jurlando is the founder of "Ride the Tide," which offers a unique setting for surf therapy.
"I have been a surfer my whole life. I've been in and out of traditional therapy my whole life," Jurlando said, "and sometimes I felt like I just didn't want to talk. I just wanted to do something that was calming, or, you know, talk about things in the lens of surfing."
Jurlando says surf therapy can help people who struggle with anxiety and depression, PTSD, women who've experienced sexual trauma, and even children who've experienced loss. Sessions include a land component that encompasses art, discussions and a yoga-like warmup before hitting the waves.
"Even getting to the beach sometimes can be a challenge for people dealing with certain mental health issues," surf therapy facilitator Ashley Fallon said. "We talk about challenging yourself when you're in this program, as you're comfortable, and that's what these programs can be as a way to kind of move past any blocks that you might be having."
For Sharon Lew, Mick Arieta, and Narisara Vanichanan, one recent session was a day of warm sand, soft rolling waves, restorative movement and supportive affirmations.
"I really had this, like, mental, like, clarity that I hadn't had in a very long time," Lew said.
"I struggle with depression. I don't always get a chance to get out the door, right? I feel like it's in a safe space in a community that's not judgmental," Arieta said.
"It just kind of helps wash away, you know, some of the all these other emotions," Vanichanan added.
Therapists say surf therapy should not be a first line treatment for mental health issues, but add research supports that being in and around water does provide positive changes in social connectedness and depressive symptoms.
"At the end of the session, I feel like just more calm. It's just like a switch that turns on," Arieta said.
"It sounds corny, but feel one with it. There is just a sense of peace that happens," Lew said.
"It stays with you, for me, the rest of the day, you know? Into my relationships, into my work. I think it's part of healthy self care, which, you know, doesn't get talked about enough," Vanichanan added.
There are mental health practitioners, surf therapy facilitators and safety volunteers at all sessions. Ride the Tide has locations in Rockaway and Asbury Park, New Jersey, and a sliding scale of fees ranging from pay-what-you-can to $75 for a private, two-hour session.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Death of teenager left alone at scandal-hit mental health hospital by worker with fake ID was unlawful
The death of a teenager who fatally self-harmed at a scandal-hit mental health hospital after being left unsupervised by a worker using a fake ID was unlawful, an inquest jury has ruled. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, died on 14 February 2022 following a litany of failings at Huntercombe Hospital, also called Taplow Manor, near Maidenhead, where she required constant one-to-one observation, Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court heard. In the 15 minutes she was unsupervised, Ruth, who had an eating disorder, Tourette syndrome and a tic condition, which had affected her mental health, made her way to her room, where she self-harmed. She was found and resuscitated before being transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital, where she died two days later. Huntercombe Hospital was closed in 2023 after investigations by The Independent revealed accusations of systemic abuse against patients, with claims from families that children were 'treated like animals'. During Ruth's inquest, it was revealed that the careworker responsible for monitoring her was working under a fake ID and had completed just a day or a day and a half of online training before his first shift. Police were not able to question him following her death as he had fled the country. Uncovering a string of failings in her care, the inquest heard that the ward Ruth was on was 'severely short-staffed' and missing 'at least half' of its workers on the day she self-harmed, the inquest heard. In a note written by the teenager before her death, which was read aloud in court, Ruth, who had to be force-fed daily through a tube and often had to be restrained by staff, criticised the lack of therapy available for patients at the hospital, which she said had an 'unsafe number of staff'. She wrote: 'I don't want this to happen to any other patients ever. My suggestion is to shut this place down.' In a damning conclusion, the jury found that 'Ruth was not prevented from accessing the harmful [online] material' that she used to fatally self-harm, and that her care plan was 'insufficient to allow for improvement [in her health] and for discharge'. They also found that the training provided to agency staff by the hospital 'was not in line with internal HR policy'. Jurors found that Ruth's parents, Kate and Mark, were not given adequate information about her care, while her responsible clinician deemed that the ward she was on was not suitable or conducive to her recovery. The jury also found that visits to Ruth by her family were limited by the hospital despite their being 'integral' to her mental wellbeing. In an emotional statement after the inquest, Ruth's parents said: 'There is an empty space at our table, a silent bedroom in our home, a gaping hole in our family that will never be filled. 'When, at our most vulnerable as a family, we reached out for help, we ultimately found ourselves trapped in a system that was meant to care for her, to help her, to keep her safe, but instead locked her away and harmed her.' They said that while at Huntercombe, Ruth was denied access to the love and support of her family, and was left 'isolated, scared and alone'. 'She was essentially caged,' they said, adding that she 'withdrew more into herself as she tried to navigate and survive months in a poorly trained, understaffed and unsafe ward. She was trapped. With no one to comfort her, no one to try to alleviate her suffering, no one to cuddle.' They said that while the conduct of the worker who left Ruth alone was shocking, there were 'numerous systemic failures' and it was 'paramount that the other wider and more important issues are acknowledged and addressed'. A tearful assistant coroner at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court, Ian Wade KC, thanked the jury and told Ruth's family: 'I hope you will treasure all the good memories of your lovely daughter.' Unlawful killing rulings at inquests are rare; in 2024, there were just 89 such findings from 39,586 inquests. Mr Wade told the jury on Wednesday that an 'unlawful killing' would amount to 'gross negligence manslaughter' on the part of the careworker responsible for Ruth's care. To come to that conclusion, he said, the jury would have to agree that the worker had breached his duty of care to Ruth; that it was a significant cause of her death; and that the breach was 'so reprehensible it amounts to a crime'. During the inquest, Dr Gillian Combe, a senior NHS doctor working for the Thames Valley provider collaborative, which was responsible for Ruth's admission, admitted that the NHS did not do enough for the 14-year-old. Dr Combe said the NHS was aware that the hospital was understaffed daily, and that there were concerns over the care it provided, but there were no other suitable choices available. Dr Combe has also warned that children's mental health units across the country are struggling to staff their wards, while the NHS does not have the money to build its own wards. In 2023, a joint investigation by The Independent and Sky News into a group of hospitals that had been run by the Huntercombe Group before being taken over by Active Care Group, revealed allegations from children at the hospital and their families that they were 'treated like animals' and left traumatised as part of a decade of 'systemic abuse'. Patients claimed to have been subjected to the 'painful' use of restraints and held down for hours by male nurses. Some said they had been stopped from going outside for months, that they were forced to live on wards with bloodstained walls, and that they were force-fed and given so much medication that they became 'zombies'. In 2017, another young girl died at a hospital owned by the Huntercombe Group. Mia Titheridge, 17, who was supposed to be subject to 15-minute observations, took her own life when a nurse failed to check on her for almost an hour, an inquest found. In response to the ruling, Active Care Group said: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ruth's family, friends, and all those affected by her passing. We deeply regret the tragic event that occurred, and we are truly sorry for the distress this has caused and recognise the profound impact it has had on everyone who knew her.' The group said it was disappointed that a third-party company it had hired had breached its terms of contract, though it did not state what the breach of contract was. It also said it had made improvements to the quality and safety of its services since. Wes Streeting and the Department of Health and Social Care were approached for comment. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Teenage brains were stressed even before smartphones. How can you help your teen handle the strain?
Mental health Children's healthFacebookTweetLink Follow If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Dial or text 988 or visit for free and confidential support. As teens head back to school this fall, many parents are worried about their mental health. And for good reason: Teens today — especially girls — are much more likely to say that they feel persistently sad or hopeless and think about suicide than they did a decade ago. Forty percent of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That figure was down from a high of 42% two years earlier, during the Covid-19 pandemic, but is about 10 percentage points higher than a decade earlier. The journalist Matt Richtel sheds light on the teen mental health crisis and what can be done about it in his new book, 'How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.' Richtel, a Boulder, Colorado-based science reporter for The New York Times, spent four years researching adolescents for the book. In our conversation, Richtel offered important insight into why teens are so stressed and what we can do about it. This conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. CNN: What explains today's teen mental health crisis? Matt Richtel: Adolescent mental health is best understood by understanding what adolescents are going through, and there is new science that helps explain it. They have a highly sensitized brain in a period of time when the world is moving very quickly, and they are receiving a ton of information. Sometimes what they experience is a kind of information overload that looks like intense rumination, anxiety and other mental health distress. CNN: Does a lot of that information overload come from social media? Richtel: Sort of. There is a misconception that the phone is the singular or overwhelming source of the problem. In fact, the science is more complicated. In the 1980s, adolescents faced immense challenges with binge drinking, drunk driving, early experimentation with sex, injury and death. Those risks have fallen sharply. What's important about that context is that it tells us there is a larger issue going on during this pivotal life period and that merely taking the phones away will not solve it. There is reason to limit access to phones because screen time displaces sleep, exercise and in-person interactions. At the same time, the challenges adolescents face come from a larger phenomenon. CNN: What is the larger phenomenon to explain why adolescence is such a tough time? Richtel: Adolescence is a process with a very important purpose: the integration of the known and unknown in a fast-changing world. The known is what your parents tell you is true, like you should read books. The unknown is what actually works as this world is changing. For instance, maybe books aren't the thing anymore. This integration of known and unknown creates an enormous sense of internal conflict for an adolescent. My parents, who love me and feed me, told me one thing, but I am discovering something else. This is happening against the backdrop of the falling age of puberty. As puberty happens earlier, it sensitizes the adolescent brain earlier in life to all this information at a time when the rest of their brain isn't particularly equipped to deal with it. This creates a kind of neurological mismatch between what an adolescent can take in and what they can process. CNN: Does this also help explain why teens often don't listen to their parents? Richtel: Yes. They don't listen to their parents because they're making a transition from being cared for by their parents to needing to learn to care for themselves and their offspring. Some of the research about how teens stop listening to their parents and start listening to strangers is almost funny. Sometimes when your kids look at you with that blank face, you're not looking at a jerk but at evolutionary biology. I would say to parents, please don't take this stuff personally. You can say to your kid, 'Hey, please stop! You sound like a jerk. I don't like that.' But that's very different from taking it personally. CNN: You call this generation of teens 'Generation Rumination.' Why? Richtel: Adolescents are programmed to explore the world around them. In the old days, that exploration happened outside. 'I'm going to forge this river. I'm going to climb this mountain. I'm going to jump off this roof.' Particularly since the 1960s, but even more so now, a lot of exploration happens on the inward side. When it happened on the outside, there were a lot of broken bones. In the last few decades, we've seen more people with mental health questions. Questions have emerged in the past 20 years that no one bothered to talk about previously. Like what is a boy and what is a girl? As uncomfortable as it is for people, it's part of the survival mechanism of the human species, to have adolescents explore for themselves and for others. CNN: You say that many teens don't know why they feel awful when they have loving families and all their physical needs are met. Why? Richtel: Here's an example of what it's like to feel like an adolescent. Let's say, as a parent, you get in a fight with your spouse the same day that your boss leaves. Then you get a bad night of sleep, and the next day you're driving down the road and you look over and see a driver who gives you a look. You experience road rage. It's not all about that driver. And maybe that driver was actually smiling. It's about the combination of factors that have led you to feel really intensely. We feel like that occasionally as parents. Adolescents feel like that all the time. So, when they say they don't understand why they feel that way, I think we can empathize, or at least sympathize as parents, that when you're highly sensitized to your environment with a bit less sleep and a lot of moving parts, it's overwhelming. CNN: Some people think the reason more teens have mental health problems today is because we diagnose and talk about them more than in the past. Or do more teens actually have mental health problems now? Richtel: I think both things are true. There are more teens with mental health challenges, and we are scrutinizing it greatly. CNN: You say that social media affects different kids very differently. Why is this? Richtel: Some kids, interestingly, are actually in a better mood after using social media. Some kids are in a worse mood. It really depends on your genetic predisposition and how much you use it. If you use it all the time, you're displacing things we know to be really healthy (like sleep, exercise and in-person interactions). That's really important. But using it in the moment can affect different kids differently. Some kids wind up happier. If you're lonely and you want to connect with somebody, that's different than if you're predisposed to compare yourself with somebody else and every time you see the ostensibly healthy, wealthy, beautiful person online, you say, 'I am terrible by comparison.' Or you see the fit person online and say, 'I need to stop eating.' But not everybody has that predisposition. CNN: As kids head back to school, what advice do you have for parents when their teens get overwhelmed? Richtel: We need to teach our kids coping skills. Some of what they need is to let the emotion out, not to try to have a rational conversation. If your kiddo says, 'Everyone in the ninth grade hates me,' that's not so rational. It's probably a product of a whole bunch of things, such as sleeplessness, a bad experience or trying to deal with a lot of information. The coping skills we're talking about here include things like putting your face in the snow, taking a cold shower or exercise, all of which allow your neurotransmitters and neurochemicals to settle down. If you can afford it, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy are tools that let people understand that these sensations they're having in their bodies can be addressed and let go of, so that the next day you can have the question, 'Does everyone in ninth grade really hate me? Oh, yeah, Doug likes me, I forgot. So does Sarah. It's going to be OK.' But, in the moment, if you try to have that conversation with your kid, you're adding more information to a brain that's already paralyzed. An overwhelmed kid is like a computer with a blue screen. When we're adding more information, it's like hitting the enter key over and over again. It's not going to do anything. Let them emote without trying to talk reason. It's hard for them to be rational in the midst of overload, so wait until they're ready to listen to you. Parents really are the biggest influencers in their kids' lives. Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
15 Traits Of Adults Who Were Bullied Growing Up
Growing up can be tough, and for those who faced bullying, the effects can linger into adulthood. If you were bullied as a kid, you might have developed certain traits as a way to cope or adapt. It's like you have an invisible backpack filled with experiences that shape how you see the world and interact with others. While everyone's journey is different, some common patterns often emerge. Here are 15 traits you might recognize in yourself or others who went through similar experiences. 1. Heightened Empathy If you were bullied growing up, you might have developed a keen sense of empathy. You understand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of unkindness, and this makes you more sensitive to the emotions of others. Researchers like Dr. John Cacioppo, who studied the effects of social isolation, suggest that empathy can sometimes be heightened in those who have experienced social adversities. This ability to connect with others' feelings can be both a blessing and a burden. While it allows you to form deep connections, it can also make you feel overwhelmed by the emotional states of those around you. Being highly empathetic means you often put others' needs before your own. You might find yourself going out of your way to make people feel comfortable or included. This trait stems from a desire to prevent others from experiencing the kind of pain you once felt. However, it's essential to strike a balance and ensure you're not neglecting your own needs. Remember, you deserve kindness and understanding just as much as anyone else. 2. Heightened Sensitivity You might notice that you're more sensitive than your peers, reacting strongly to criticism or conflict. This sensitivity can be traced back to your experiences with bullying, where every comment felt like a potential threat. Over time, your brain might have become wired to perceive criticism more intensely, as a way to protect yourself from harm. As an adult, this can mean that you take things to heart more than others might. While this sensitivity can be challenging, it also means you're perceptive and often pick up on things others miss. However, being highly sensitive has its ups and downs. On one hand, it allows you to appreciate the little things in life that might go unnoticed by others. You notice the beauty in a kind word or a small gesture, making your world rich with detail. On the other hand, negative experiences can linger longer in your mind, and it may take extra effort to shake off bad vibes. Balancing this sensitivity is key to maintaining emotional well-being and forming healthy relationships. 3. Strong Inner Critic Growing up with bullying might have left you with a strong inner critic. You might find yourself second-guessing your actions or doubting your worthiness. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion is crucial for counteracting this inner dialogue. She emphasizes that practicing self-kindness can help mitigate the harsh self-criticism that often develops from past bullying experiences. Recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and that you're no less deserving of compassion can be a powerful first step. Your inner critic can be relentless, pointing out perceived failures or shortcomings. This voice is often a reflection of the negative comments you absorbed during your formative years. While it might feel like this critic is just trying to motivate you to do better, it can have the opposite effect, leaving you feeling paralyzed or unworthy. Learning to challenge this inner voice and replacing it with a more supportive narrative can be transformative. Remember, your past does not define you; you have the power to reshape your self-perception. 4. People-Pleasing Tendencies After experiencing bullying, you might have developed a tendency to go above and beyond to please those around you. This behavior often stems from a desire to avoid conflict and gain acceptance. You might find yourself saying "yes" more often than you want to, just to keep the peace. While wanting to help others is admirable, it's important to recognize when your people-pleasing habits are more about avoiding discomfort than genuine generosity. It's okay to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs. Being a people pleaser can lead to exhaustion and resentment if you're not careful. You might start feeling like you're constantly giving without getting much in return. It's important to remember that you can't make everyone happy, and that's perfectly okay. Learning to say "no" when necessary is crucial for maintaining your mental health and energy levels. By setting healthy boundaries, you allow yourself to engage in more meaningful and balanced relationships. 5. Difficulty Trusting Others If you were bullied, you might find it challenging to trust others fully. The betrayal you felt when peers turned against you can leave long-lasting scars. Research conducted by Dr. Karen Douglas suggests that those who have experienced social exclusion or bullying may be more cautious in forming new relationships. This wariness is a protective mechanism designed to shield you from further hurt. While being cautious can be wise, it's important not to let past experiences prevent you from forming meaningful connections. Trust issues can manifest in various ways, from doubting someone's intentions to hesitating to share personal information. You might constantly be on guard, waiting for the other shoe to drop. While it's natural to want to protect yourself, it's important to remember that not everyone will treat you the same way those bullies did. Building trust takes time, but it's a crucial part of forming healthy, supportive relationships. Allow yourself to open up at your own pace, and remember that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. 6. High Resilience One of the silver linings of having endured bullying is developing resilience. You've been through tough times and have learned how to bounce back, which is a powerful skill. This resilience often manifests as an ability to handle stress better than others might. You know how to pick yourself up after a setback because you've had plenty of practice. Resilience doesn't mean you don't feel pain or stress; it just means you've learned how to manage it effectively. Resilience can be your superpower, helping you navigate life's ups and downs with more ease. However, it's important to recognize that being resilient doesn't mean you have to endure everything on your own. Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can be an important part of maintaining your resilience. Remember, even the strongest individuals need help sometimes. Embracing this concept can make you even more resilient in the face of adversity. 7. Difficulty Expressing Anger You might struggle with expressing anger due to your past experiences with bullying. Growing up, anger might have felt unsafe or unproductive, especially if your attempts to defend yourself only made things worse. Dr. James Gross, a leading researcher in emotion regulation, points out that suppressing emotions like anger can have negative consequences for mental health. It's crucial to find healthy outlets for these emotions, rather than letting them simmer inside. Expressing anger constructively is a skill that can be developed over time. When you suppress anger, it doesn't just disappear; it often turns inward, leading to feelings of frustration or resentment. It can also emerge in unexpected ways, such as through passive-aggressive behavior or sudden outbursts. Finding healthy ways to express and process anger is essential for your emotional well-being. This might involve physical activity, journaling, or talking things through with someone you trust. Remember, expressing anger doesn't have to be confrontational; it can be a part of healthy communication. 8. Insecurity And Self-Doubt Bullying can leave a lasting impact on your self-esteem, leading to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. The unkind words and actions of others might have planted seeds of doubt about your worth. Even as an adult, these feelings can linger, causing you to question your abilities or value. It's important to challenge these negative beliefs and remind yourself of your strengths. Building self-confidence is a journey, and every step forward counts. Insecurity can manifest in various aspects of your life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. You might find yourself holding back or hesitating to take risks due to fear of failure. However, it's important to remember that everyone experiences self-doubt at times. You are not alone in your feelings, and it's perfectly normal to seek support in overcoming them. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and affirming your talents can help rebuild your self-esteem over time. 9. Overthinking As someone who was bullied, you might tend to overthink situations, analyzing every detail for potential threats. This habit developed as a coping mechanism, a way to anticipate and avoid negative interactions. While being cautious can be beneficial, overthinking often leads to unnecessary stress and anxiety. You might find yourself replaying conversations in your head or imagining worst-case scenarios. Learning to let go and trust your instincts can help break this cycle. Overthinking can be exhausting, sapping your energy and leaving you feeling drained. It can also make decision-making more difficult, as you get lost in a sea of "what-ifs." Practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques can help you stay present and reduce overthinking. Remember, you don't have to have everything figured out all the time. Trusting yourself and embracing uncertainty can open up new possibilities and bring peace of mind. 10. Desire For Control Experiencing bullying might have led to a strong desire for control in your life. When things felt chaotic and unpredictable as a child, finding ways to exert control became a way to cope. As an adult, this might translate into wanting to plan every detail or struggling with unexpected changes. While having a sense of control can be comforting, it's essential to recognize when it's becoming counterproductive. Flexibility and adaptability are valuable skills that can help you navigate life's uncertainties. The desire for control can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration or anxiety when things don't go as planned. It's important to remember that not everything is within your control, and that's okay. Learning to let go and embrace the unknown can be liberating. It can open up opportunities for growth and allow you to experience life more fully. Balancing control with acceptance can lead to a more fulfilling and less stressful life. 11. Difficulty Asking For Help You might find it challenging to ask for help, stemming from a fear of being perceived as weak or vulnerable. Growing up being bullied, you might have felt that showing vulnerability made you a target. However, as an adult, it's important to recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes courage to reach out and admit that you can't do everything on your own. Building a support system can help you feel more resilient and less isolated. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable, but it's a crucial part of personal and professional growth. It allows you to learn from others and gain new perspectives. Remember, everyone needs help at some point, and no one expects you to have all the answers. By reaching out, you give others the opportunity to support you, which can strengthen your relationships. Embracing this mindset can lead to a more balanced and connected life. 12. Tendency To Avoid Conflict You might have a strong tendency to avoid conflict, preferring to keep the peace rather than address issues directly. This habit likely developed as a way to minimize tension and prevent confrontations. While avoiding conflict can reduce immediate stress, it often leads to unresolved issues that can fester over time. Learning to approach conflict with a healthy mindset is essential for maintaining balanced relationships. It's about finding ways to express your needs and concerns without escalating tensions. Avoiding conflict doesn't mean you're avoiding all disagreements; it's about choosing your battles wisely. However, it's important not to let fear of confrontation prevent you from standing up for yourself. Being assertive doesn't have to mean being aggressive. It's about clearly communicating your feelings and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. Over time, you can develop the confidence to handle conflicts in a way that strengthens your relationships rather than strain them. 13. Seeking Validation After experiencing bullying, you might find yourself seeking validation from others to feel worthy or accepted. The negative messages you received as a child can leave you questioning your self-worth. While it's natural to want approval, relying too heavily on others for validation can be detrimental. It's important to cultivate a sense of self-worth that comes from within. Building internal validation means recognizing your accomplishments and strengths without needing external affirmation. Seeking validation can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions, where your self-esteem depends on others' opinions. This can make you vulnerable to manipulation or disappointment. Instead of looking outward for approval, try to focus on what makes you proud or happy. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and remember that you are enough just as you are. Developing self-compassion can help you build a more stable, intrinsic sense of self-worth. 14. Strong Imagination Interestingly, individuals who were bullied often develop a strong imagination as a coping mechanism. Daydreaming or creating imaginary scenarios can provide a mental escape from uncomfortable realities. This creative thinking can become a valuable skill, allowing you to approach problems with unique perspectives and innovative solutions. Your imagination can also enhance your empathy, as you become adept at visualizing different situations and emotions. Embracing this trait can lead to creative pursuits and personal growth. Your imagination can be a sanctuary, offering solace and inspiration when the world feels overwhelming. However, it's important to stay connected to reality and not use imagination as a way to avoid dealing with real-life challenges. Balancing creativity with practical action can lead to meaningful accomplishments. Allowing yourself time to dream while also focusing on tangible goals can create a fulfilling and balanced life. Remember, your imagination is a gift that can bring joy and insight into your everyday experiences. 15. Loyalty To A Fault As someone who was bullied, you might have developed a strong sense of loyalty, sometimes to a fault. Having experienced betrayal, you value the connections you do have and might go to great lengths to maintain them. While loyalty is a commendable trait, it's important to ensure it doesn't lead to staying in unhealthy relationships. Understanding the importance of mutual respect and reciprocity is crucial for balanced dynamics. It's okay to let go of relationships that don't serve you. Your loyalty might lead you to prioritize others' needs over your own, even at your own expense. It's essential to recognize when your loyalty is being taken advantage of and when it's time to set boundaries. Building healthy relationships involves give-and-take, where both parties feel valued and respected. By recognizing your worth, you can form connections that are supportive and fulfilling. Loyalty should be a two-way street, and you deserve to receive as much as you give. Solve the daily Crossword
