The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC)

Pampering is an "inside" job.
It refuels and recharges your body,
mind and spirit and infuses your life
with more peace and joy.

Laughter makes you feel good, stimulates circulation throughout the body and heals the soul.

Commune with nature. Take walks, explore the woods, visit a favorite ocean, lake or river, and sit outside and appreciate sights, sounds and smells.

Reflexology is a healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body.

A good foot massage is a splendid way of relazing, balancing and harmonizing the mind, body and "sole".

The power of an affirmation or inspirational thought is that is does not speak to the past or present, it speaks to and calls forth a new future in the present. By repeating or reading on a regular basis affirmations can help to "rewire" your thoughts and lead you toward a more positive outlook.

The aftermath of violence and crime can wreak havoc in the lives of victims. Individuals are often left traumatized and stressed, seeking help and solace while looking for ways to find comfort, heal and get on with life. Outside help and support is very important in one's journey toward healing, but added to that is the need to take extra good care of self. Pampering is an "inside" job, inner grooming so to speak. It refuels and recharges your body, mind and spirit and infuses your life with more peace and joy. Consider some of the following ideas to help restore balance after trauma and help nurture a self-care first approach to healing.

Laughter: Enjoy a humorous movie, read a funny book, play with children or pets, and/or spend time with friends and family. Laughter makes you feel good, stimulates circulation throughout the body and heals the soul.

Aromatherapy: Use essential oils in your living or working space for therapeutic or medical purposes to ease aches and pains and reduce stress-relaxing, sedating or stimulating and restoring both physical and emotional well-being.

Exercise: Take walks. Do stretching exercises with calming music. Enjoy gardening or yoga. While exercising, use a small tape recorder to make notes/thoughts as you are walking, etc.

Tea: Drink various kinds of herbal teas for calming. The warmth of a cup of hot tea is very inviting and relaxing. Try herbal teas like chamomile and sleepy time for relaxation or peppermint for stimulation.

Affirmations: The power of an affirmation or inspirational thought is that is does not speak to the past or present. It speaks to, and calls forth, a new future in the present. By repeating or reading on a regular basis, affirmations can help to "rewire" your thoughts and lead you toward a more positive outlook.

Commune with Nature: Take walks, explore the woods, visit a favorite ocean, lake or river, and sit outside to appreciate sights, sounds and smells.

Flowers: Brighten your home or work space with colorful, fresh-cut flowers and plants. They make a room more bright and cheery and can do a lot for improving mood.

Sleep: You need seven to nine hours of deeply restful/quality sleep each night. Sleep allows the body to rest, recharge, repair and replenish. Can't sleep? Get new sheets, soft blankets or fluffy pillows. Fill pillows with aromatic herbs like lavender to calm nightmares, evoke peaceful dreams and help you sleep more soundly. Consider a sound machine that emanates sounds like ocean waves, wind and babbling streams. Use your bedroom as a place to meditate, read and relax. Paint your walls with color, add plants, and keep a journal on nightstand to record each night your reflections of the day. Include comfortable pajamas, scented candles and music which can calm you.

Reflexology: This natural healing art is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. Applying pressure, stretch and movement to the hands and feet can break up stress in other parts of the body. A good foot massage is a splendid way of relaxing, balancing and harmonizing the mind, body and "sole".

Massage: Treat yourself to a massage to provide a relaxed state of alertness, relieve mental stress and enhance your capacity for calm thinking and creativity. Massage satisfies the human need for caring and nurturing touch and creates a feeling of well-renewed health and being.

Bath: Take long luxurious baths with lots of bubbles and scented bath oils like lavender for relaxation, or peppermint for rejuvenation. Light candles, tune out the world and soak as long as time will allow.

Healing Foods: Eat healthy foods to help balance your moods, replenish your energy, increase stamina, and boost immune system. Examples are: beans, broccoli, oranges, apples, bananas, water, sesame seeds, shellfish, garlic and salmon.

Do Something Out of the Ordinary: Feel like a child again - go barefoot, take a walk in the rain, or play in the snow. Catch, study, and release butterflies. Collect sea shells. Start a new hobby. Draw a picture. Sing and dance without inhibition.

	Into the Light When I journey into deep dark places, I anticipate the light waiting on the other side.
	Freedom The past can be a painful prison. I look to the freedom of today, for only I hold the key to create new joy.
	The Crossing Just when I think I've reached the very end, there's a bridge to see me safely to the other side.
	Give Birth Within me lies divine possibility. I tend my gifts well and give birth to great things!
	My Song I dance to the beat of my own drum...loving the rhythm of my song.
	Faith I still believe.
	Resourcefulness I draw upon all that I am, and all that I've been given.
	Gratitude I count my blessings.
	The Seasons I will not fear the end of a season... instead I rejoice in its glory and wait for spring.
	Parenting Little ones are following my every move...I listen to my inner wisdom and help lead them in the right direction.
	The Journey There are many roads, but only one destination; me.
	Embrace Friendship There is joy and strength in numbers. I allow meaningful, supportive
	Mountains In life there are many mountains; though their purpose in the landscape of my life may only be revealed when I come down the other side.
	Seek Joy I seek joy. I revel in the unexpected sweetness of life when it is ripe on the vine.
	Wonder Sometimes, even in the rain there are wonders to behold... I will keep looking up.
	Be a Light If I know the way...I will be a light to others.