Dealing with a burglary or break-in can be extremely stressful and a very emotional time for all involved. Even if nothing has been taken, mentally, the feeling that your home has been violated by a stranger can make it hard to ever feel safe. So much so that according to The Mirror, a recent survey revealed that 60% of burglary victims never feel secure in their homes again.
If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience a burglary or break-in at your home, below are six ways that will help you deal with it and learn to move on:
Get away from it all
Whether you want to take a short break abroad, leave town for a few days or stay with a close friend/family member, sometimes getting away from it all can help clear your mind and help you come to terms with what has happened.
Step up the security
Do all that you can to make your home feel secure so you can feel comfortable moving back in. Whether that’s upgrading the locks, replacing the doors with Security Direct or installing a monitored security system, it will help put your mind at ease and deter future intruders.
Give your house a good clean
After the police have collected all the evidence they need to, no doubt there will be the mess to contend with. Whilst this will be tough, use this as an opportunity to give the house a thorough clean. It will help psychologically and hopefully start the process of moving on. Some victims even find that redecorating can be an empowering step in moving on.
Take good care of yourself
According to the British Physiological Society, a recent survey revealed that one in four suffered anxiety or symptoms of depression after experiencing a burglary. It is important to take good care of yourself; eat well and exercise if you can, don’t let the fear control you. Don’t give a burglar the satisfaction of robbing you of your health and wellbeing.
Speak to friends, family and professionals
Don’t deal with everything alone. Reach out to friends and family for support, that’s what they are there for. If you really have trouble coping, seek the help of a professional who will be able to help with your feelings and offer advice about how to move forward.
Get back into a routine
It can be easy to lose your normal routine after a break-in. If you’ve had a couple of days off work or you’ve stopped doing something you love, get back into it as soon as possible and regain control. Have something to look forward to whether it’s making plans to go out with friends or hosting a dinner party at yours.
While it may be hard to believe, you will recover from the burglary. It’s just going to take time. The above ways will help to improve your safety and speed up the process of moving on so you can enjoy life again.