Reducing Our Vulnerability

Merriam Webster defines Vulnerability as- “capable of being physically or emotionally wounded, open to attack or damage.” It seems like a very short, simple, and to the point definition. How big is the picture when we really sit and realize how powerful and strong, vulnerability can be? What is such a short definition, really means way more, and I believe most people understand that.
It represents some of the most fragile hidden places that lurk in our hearts and souls. Often hard to find, and hard to even know. However, once something it’s exposed or triggered, that’s when the fragile parts show. It then, can become something quite hard to manage, or even accept.
Until acceptance though, we will battle and struggle with it (our vulnerability). We live life often working hard to assure that our vulnerability does not get into the wrong hands.

It is said that healthy habits may actually be a way to lower our levels of vulnerability, as it’s one way to better gain control. When out of control areas of mind, body or life get improved, it seems to connect to vulnerability, and things that may had been vulnerable, may no longer be that way, when stabilized and improved.
Find that health, and find that level playing field. Lower, reduce your vulnerability. Avoids the risks. With goals of balance, can come success in disease, in anger, in mind. Take a step by step approach. Find that strength. With that, comes an ability, to stay S.T.R.O.N.G. An acronym of balance, and emotional regulation. A philosophy towards success, against the pain of exposed vulnerability.
Strength comes in all forms. It goes far beyond the spectrum of physical power. The weakest man in the world, might be able to life 500 pounds. For this topic, being strong touches many things. To start with S.T.R.O.N.G. we must go to a basic, and that is, SLEEP. At first I know, it seems so random. So out of place when we’re talking about vulnerability. But it certainly is not random, and not something simple. Stay awake for three days straight, and ask yourself, how stable do you feel then. Sleep represents every single biological component of health.

Quality sleep brings mental clarity, healing of illness, stops illness, heart health, brain health, enhanced mood, all the things, that are great combatants to vulnerability.
Though many of us may come from a world of alcoholism, and drug abuse, there comes a time when we must work together with medical professionals, considering our physical health may be compromised, and it’s almost a definite that our mental health is suffering as well. Coming from a world of drug addiction may often require that we accept the fact we need other drugs. It can be one component and piece of the puzzle, that includes other factors.

Mental health medications can work great, but it’s my opinion that there must be more of a therapeutic approach, that includes therapy, both in group settings, and one on one with a therapist. If we make the approach inclusive, and make sure we TAKE our medications, we are on our way to the second part of S.T.R.O.N.G
Just like it’s an acronym recommending to take medication, it also reminds us to RESIST abusing medication, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Though I don’t think any of us would have a problem understanding this one, it’s still a pertinent statement to make. It goes a lot further than just being the letter R of some catchy acronym. It’s a statement, and a rule of life that will potentially will kill us, if we allow ourselves to forget it even for one brief second.
ONCE a day, give yourself “you time.” Everyday, no matter what. A period of time for yourself, by yourself, a time that you are able to control. A time to cater to your own inner peace and unwind.

Many people use this near the end of their day. At night, an hour or two before bed. A time to relax, read a book, a magazine, limiting all of today’s technologies, putting the phone down, preparing for sleep. Many experts say that cutting down staring at smartphones before sleep, can usually set the stage for much better sleep.
NUTRITION is an obvious component. It is more than just eating fruit and vegetables. It’s also not about living some constant diet. It is about balance. Finding a balance to eat what we need, without overeating, or eating too restrictive. Either type, too much, or too little, is not the path that’s best.

Establishing nutrition can be a true struggle. It’s a tough mountain to begin climbing, especially when we are just starting a new path that was once full of addiction or untreated mental health. A steady and balanced nutrition can become an amazing treatment tool in itself.
An understanding has to come with ourselves, that this is not a temporary mission of cutting too many calories. It’s about a total life change. Bad habits left behind, for the welcoming of better habits. It can be one of the greatest gifts we give ourselves.

Finally, let us remember how much stability GETTING exercise can give us. I shouldn’t have to sit here and actually try to explain or justify why exercise is a key component for any human being. But, we are on the last letter of our S.T.R.O.N.G. mission. We should know it improves almost every area of mental and physical health. It can bring such peace to our minds and moods.
With healthy eating, and proper exercise, comes the much better chance of finding success in our goal of reducing vulnerability. It really is possible.


