It can take a long time to feel like yourself again after you’ve experienced a traumatic event. You’ll need to take steps to help yourself move forward. You’ve already decided you want to start healing by searching for this article, so now you just need to know what to do.
Below you’ll find nine ways to heal from trauma. Let’s begin.
1. Understand What Trauma is
Trauma can be difficult to define since everyone experiences it somewhat differently. Trauma is a long-lasting emotional response to a highly distressing event. It can cause flashbacks and even some physical symptoms.
There are five stages of trauma, including:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
You’ll need to work through all stages to get to acceptance. You must recognize that you can work on healing, no matter what you’re in right now. Opening yourself to healing will also help you move through the process.
You’ll want to research trauma online and learn more about it. The better you understand it, the easier it’ll be to heal. If you’re unsure whether you suffer from PTSD, you can ask your therapist for screening.
2. Seek Support
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Before you can start healing, you need to want to recover. Part of that is seeking out and accepting support. If you can’t accept support, you won’t be able to move on.
Support can come from many different places too. Your loved ones and a therapist are often the best support system for many people. You might also join a support group or reach out to others online.
No matter what, you’ll want to work on creating a support system. A therapist will assist you if you don’t know where to start.
3. Reach Out to People
Isolating yourself is one of the worst things you can do when trying to heal. Start by spending more time with your friends and family. You don’t need to discuss your trauma unless you feel comfortable doing so.
Socializing is great for our mental health, so you’ll want to set aside time to reach out to your loved ones. Social isolation can make the symptoms of trauma much worse.
4. Get More Exercise
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It also helps to get more physical activity in your day-to-day life. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which make you feel happier and boost your mental health. You’ll also have more energy to focus on healing as you strengthen.
You don’t have to work out much to see these benefits. Short walks are a great way to boost your mood. Plus, you can think about how you feel and connect with yourself on these walks. Getting outside and into the sun can also help a lot with healing.
In most people, your body releases endorphins after about 30 minutes of exercise. You’ll also learn to listen to your mind and body when you exercise more, helping you to process your trauma.
5. Start Somatic Therapy
Somatic trauma therapy is especially effective for those with PTSD. A professional will work with you to teach you grounding and help you develop more awareness of your thoughts and body. Since it’s so effective, it’s often incorporated with other types of therapy.
At your first somatic therapy appointment, you can expect the therapist to provide an assessment with questions, depending on the type of therapy you’re seeking. From there, the therapist will create a treatment plan for you.
Many treatments involve teaching you ways to respond to trauma and its after-effects. You’ll learn to process how you’re feeling and keep yourself grounded, which will naturally lend to helping you heal.
6. Keep Up With Self-Care
You’ll also want to keep practicing your self-care routines normally as you recover. Good self-care reduces stress, makes you feel loved and cared for, and boosts mental health.
Self-care is different for everyone, but some good examples include the following:
- Exercising
- Eating nutritious food
- Journaling
- Being mindful
- Spending time with loved ones
- Drinking enough water
- Practicing good personal hygiene
- Going on walks
- Taking a relaxing bath
You’ll need to find what makes you feel the best and keep time open in your schedule for it. Having good self-care after a traumatic event can take a lot of work, but you open yourself up to healing when you do.
7. Practice Meditation
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Practicing daily meditation can help you learn mindfulness. It allows you to stay present, keeping your thoughts from returning to your trauma. Meditation can lower your stress and blood pressure, helping you relax again.
You can practice meditation on your own or follow along with video tutorials. You can meditate at any time once you learn how, making it a valuable skill.
8. Don’t Hesitate To Take a Break
Healing takes a lot of effort and energy, making you feel very tired. You must be gentle and remind yourself that taking a break is okay. You can plan a vacation with your loved ones or give yourself more time to rest at home.
PTSD can cause fatigue, so don’t be hard on yourself for needing to take more breaks as you heal. Once you’ve recovered, you’ll have your energy back.
9. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
It’s also important that you avoid using recreational substances during this time. Alcohol and drugs can numb you to your feelings, making the healing process much longer. These substances distract you from suitable healing methods and harm your mental health.
You don’t need to avoid recreational substances forever. However, you must not use them until you’ve had plenty of time to work on recovering from the traumatic event. Knowing this isn’t a permanent change can help you avoid using them for now.
Focus on Healing
Overall, you’ll want to put as much of your focus into your recovery as you can. There are plenty of somatic therapy techniques that you have at your disposal. Plus, you’ll want to create a support system and make time for self-care.
Healing takes a lot of energy and time, but the more you focus on recovery, the happier you’ll feel at the end of the day.
How First Aid Training is one of the methods to recover from trauma:
Taking initiative and getting involved in activities that benefit others is one method to recover from trauma. Having a career in first aid training can give trauma survivors a sense of control, empowerment, and purpose—all of which are crucial for recovery. When people are able to assist others in need, teaching others first aid skills can also provide people a sense of accomplishment and joy. For those who have undergone trauma, this can be very helpful in boosting self-esteem and confidence. Also, sharing knowledge with others might offer a chance to socialise and form enduring bonds. Feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are frequent for those who have suffered trauma, can be lessened as a result.
