4 Ways to Start Your Healing Journey After Experiencing Trauma
In a perfect world, no one would experience trauma or the lingering effects that often come from it. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and most people will go through at least one traumatic experience in their lives.
Trauma can create a myriad of lingering symptoms. It can create sleep problems, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and even impact your physical health.
Thankfully, more often than not, people are able to heal from trauma with the right treatment. It’s something you don’t have to figure out on your own, and it’s certainly something you don’t have to do alone.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few ways to start your healing journey after experiencing trauma so you don’t let the impact of your experience define your next chapter.
1. Don’t Ignore Your Feelings
It’s not uncommon for people who have experienced trauma to try to push their emotions down. This is often a defense mechanism your mind uses to protect yourself from distress. That’s why some people who experience trauma early in life don’t remember it for years, even if they’re dealing with the symptoms.
If traumatic memories start to come to the surface, don’t ignore them. If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with that experience, don’t ignore them. Acknowledging your feelings is often the first step toward true healing.
2. Be More Mindful
Mindfulness is a practice that can help to lessen the effects of trauma by grounding you in the present.
Trauma can often create flashbacks and negative memories. Practicing mindfulness will help you stay focused on the here and now. Try closing your eyes and concentrate on taking slow, deep breaths. What do you hear? What do you smell? Become as in tune with your body as possible. If negative thoughts start to creep in, let them pass by like clouds you can’t hold on to.
3. Practice Self-Care
Self-care is important for everyone. For trauma survivors, however, it’s even more essential. There are some common misconceptions about self-care practices. But they don’t need to be extravagant, expensive, or even take up a lot of time.
Try to do at least one thing each day for the sole benefit of your well-being. It could be journaling, meditating, exercising, or even spending time with friends. Socializing is a great way to practice self-care and an effective way to start healing after experiencing trauma. Adopting a routine can also be a form of self-care. That includes getting enough sleep each night and having some set parameters throughout your day. Routines provide comfort and stability and can help you to feel more in control.
4. Reach Out for Help
The truth is that trauma can be overwhelming. It can threaten to take control of your every thought and negatively impact your quality of life. Leaning on your personal support system is the first step toward healing. It’s important to open up and talk to the people you feel most comfortable with. However, they can’t be your only support. One of the best things you can do to start your healing journey after experiencing trauma is to work with a therapist.
If you’ve been avoiding therapy because you don’t want to talk about what you experienced, don’t let that fear hold you back. While working through the history of your trauma is important, it’s only the first step in your journey. Therapy can also help you manage your symptoms, find healthy coping mechanisms, and create healthy habits.
Don’t let trauma dictate your life any longer. Contact me today to set up an appointment and begin your journey toward healing.