In the U.S., 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men are victims of relationship abuse. If you're in an abusive relationship and are considering leaving, you need to take some time to think through how to protect yourself from additional harm. And while getting out of an abusive relationship isn't easy, you deserve to live free of fear.

Regardless of what your current situation looks like, safety planning is an essential part of the process. 

What is a safety plan?

Safety planning requires thoroughly thinking through potential scenarios and determining what the best course of action is. Overall, a good safety plan will hold all the important information you might need.

Here are a few things to consider when safety planning:

Reach out and let someone know you’re ending your relationship. Isolation is a tactic that many abusers use to have control over you. If your relationships with family members or friends have suffered because of this, it's essential that you still reach out. You may be surprised to learn how many of them want to help. This is one of the most important things you can do if you need somewhere to stay. Additionally, you can ask them to check in on you, if you can contact them if you need a ride or need help getting the police. Memorize their phone numbers if you can. 

If you don’t have anyone to tell, call a hotline. Tell them the same thing you would as if it were someone you know, they'll encourage and provide support along the way. Having resources available to you is a big part of safety planning. A few options include:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Crisis Text Line

• National Network to End Domestic Violence

Keep your important documents safe. This includes your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, insurance cards, bank account numbers, and other legal documents. It may be a good idea to keep them out of the house if you live with your abuser. If you feel that it’s unsafe to collect these items, make a few copies or take pictures of them.

Change your contact information. Depending on whether you need to remain in contact with this person, you may want to consider changing your phone number or blocking them on your phone. Also, it may be a good idea to change any passwords on your computer, phone, etc., if your partner has access to them.

Prepare an emergency fund. 

Financial abuse often plays a role in an abusive relationship, so set aside some money if you can. This can also include having your bank account or credit card if possible.  If it's not safe to keep the money in your home, ask a trusted family member to keep it for you. 

Get support. If possible, involve an expert to support you throughout the process. Remember that you’re not alone. There are people available to assist and guide you through this. 

You can find additional help and support from:  

Support groups: Being in an abusive relationship and making the decision to leave one can feel isolating and lonely. Support groups for victims of abuse can offer a therapeutic space for healing and an opportunity to connect with others who can relate and understand what you’re going through.

Therapy: Therapy can help if you’re currently in an abusive relationship, plan on leaving one, and help you start the healing process once you leave.

Emotional intelligence refers to a person's ability to understand, perceive, and control their own emotions and those around them. Some experts say that emotional intelligence can be equally, if not more important, than IQ. From your relationships to your goals, emotional intelligence ultimately plays a role in every aspect of your life. And while some believe it's characteristic that some are born with, research suggests that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened.

Components of emotional intelligence

EI was developed by John Salavoy and John Mayer, two social psychologists. Their work is responsible for the increased interest in emotional intelligence, from the workplace to the school curriculum. There are four levels of emotional intelligence, which include:

Self-awareness: The ability to recognize and understand emotions is a fundamental skill of EI. Aside from perceiving your own emotions, however, is being aware of the effect of your actions, moods, and feelings of others. This often includes awareness of nonverbal cues, like body language and the facial expressions people use. Although this comes more naturally to some people than others, you can take a few easy steps in improving your self-awareness. 

Start by monitoring your own emotions, recognizing different reactions to emotions, and identifying each emotion as it arises. You'll start to notice the relationship between your feeling and how you behave as a result.

Self-regulation: Once you become aware of your own emotions and the impact you have on other people, you'll need to learn how to regulate and control them. This doesn't mean putting your feelings on hold or suppressing them, but rather being able to express them at the right time and place. Emotional regulation is all about expressing them appropriately. 

If you know someone who can diffuse a tense situation or is good at managing conflict, they're probably good at regulating their emotions. They also tend to be conscious about how they influence other people, take responsibility for their actions, and adapt well to change. 

Practice being mindful of your thoughts and feelings in different situations, and find ways to cope with the uncomfortable ones. Soon, you’ll start to recognize the way your emotions help you determine your actions.

1. Social skills: Having strong social skills allows you to build meaningful relationships and develop a more vital understanding of yourself and those around you. But, it involves a bit more than merely understanding emotions. You'll need to put the information to work in your daily interactions. Practicing essential social skills like active listening, asking open-ended questions, having good eye contact, or showing interest in others are excellent ways to improve this emotional intelligence area.
   
   
2. Empathy: Or the ability to understand how people feel, is one of the most critical components of emotional intelligence. Aside from recognizing how someone else is feeling, empathy involves your response to people based on this information. How do you typically respond when a friend is feeling sad or hurt? In a professional setting, an empathetic manager understands the power dynamics in the workplace. This can positively influence their relationships with their employees, and they probably don't take advantage of their power. 

Improving your emotional intelligence isn’t always easy. It’s a skill that takes time to develop. But by practicing and implementing some of the tools mentioned, you’ll start to notice positive changes in the way you understand yourself and those around you.

You already know that exercise is excellent for your physical health. But how exactly does it tie to mental well-being? Regular exercise can help prevent mental health problems before they start and assist in maintaining existing ones. And although it seems like it's the last thing you want to do when you have depression, it can make a big difference once you get started. 

Here are a few ways exercise can help you fight depression: 

1. Manage stress.  Exercise decreases stress hormones and increases your body feel-good' chemicals—naturally boosting your mood. Additionally, your relationship with stress changes. Those who exercise regularly are less affected and manage their stressors more healthily. It's a powerful way to release built-up physical and mental tension while reducing feelings of fear and worry.
   
   
2. Social support. We all need a support system. Doing your favorite workout with a friend not only benefits your health but strengthens your relationships with others as well. On the other hand, some physical activities promote opportunities to meet new people. Even a friendly smile or a simple "hello" as you walk around your neighborhood can improve your mood.
   
   
3. Improved cognition. The same "feel good" endorphins that are released when exercising are the ones that help you concentrate, focus, and feel mentally sharp.  Exercise also promotes the increase of new brain cells and counteracts age-related decline.
   
   
4. Higher self-esteem. By meeting even the smallest exercise goals, you'll feel a sense of achievement and boost self-confidence. Regular activity can also make you feel better about your appearance.
   
   
5. Better quality of sleep. Exercise impacts everyone differently. Some may find it helpful to do it right before bed, and some prefer to do it in the mornings. Regardless of when you choose to exercise, doing so regularly can improve your sleep patterns.
   
   
6. Increased energy. It may seem like exercising will make you feel more tired, but raising your heart rate a few times a week will make you feel more energized. Start with 1-2 minutes per day, and increase as you go.

 The challenge of getting started

Depression manifests as trouble sleeping, low energy, changes in appetite, fatigue, and low mood, which all result in less motivation to exercise. Although it's challenging to break this cycle, getting up and moving for a few minutes a day is helpful. Begin by setting small, realistic goals, and soon, a few minutes will quickly turn into 20, and so on. When your body starts to feel better, so will your mind.

While exercise is an essential component of your mental health, it is not a replacement for proper treatment. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, and if you have any mental health concerns, contact a mental health care provider.