There are currently over four million Americans behind bars. This puts a significant amount of stress on their families, especially on their partners. Dealing with a partner’s incarceration isn’t easy, and many times, the emotional, financial, and physical tolls can leave the strongest of bonds cracked and strained.
In addition to the pain of having your loved one behind the bar, dealing with the outside world can also be difficult. Feelings of loneliness, shame, betrayal, and anger can bottle up inside and lead to long-lasting, deep damage.
Due to all these reasons, it’s imperative to take care of your physical and mental health during your significant other’s jail time.
Let’s get to know four effective coping mechanisms that can help you stay sane and support your partner when the road gets bumpy.
1. Prioritize your Health
As much as your partner needs your support, so does your body and mind. Don’t compromise your health and well-being by making unhealthy choices due to stress.
Binging on junk food, alcohol, and drugs might offer immediate satiation and gratification from pain but can deceptively worsen your stress and anxiety.
2. Get Some Fresh Air
This may seem like a very common self-care strategy, but it has numerous benefits for your mind and body. You don’t have to run a marathon; just a few minutes of walking around the block or in a park would do the trick.
Walking releases endorphins, a hormone responsible for uplifting your mood, reducing stress, and boosting memory. Moreover, fresh air is beneficial for the immune system, and regularly going out for a walk can reduce anxiety and keep negative thoughts at bay!
3. Take Up a Hobby
The worst thing you can do when your partner is in jail is overthinking. This leads to stress that gradually turns into a habit and causes depression. You need to take care of yourself to support your loved one isolated behind bars.
A great way to center your thoughts toward positivity is taking up a hobby. Repetitive activities like knitting, sewing, reading, writing, or painting are effective in reducing stress. You can also start gardening, scrapbooking, journaling, or ceramics to add a fun element to your dull days.
4. Know that it’s Okay to Mourn
Lack of intimacy, involvement, affection, and financial contribution are some of the many effects of a partner’s incarceration. Your life takes 180 degree turn, making you feel lost and out of control.
It’s important to realize that mourning is fine—it doesn’t make you seem weak; and it’s okay to cry when you feel frustrated, sad, angry, or upset.
If you believe your loved one is innocent, use your right to apply for a bail bond. Our bail bond agents at DeLaughter Bail Bonds would be glad to help you post your bail in Allen County, Hamilton County, Lake County, and several other areas across Indiana. Get in touch with us for more details.
