The word “trauma” is often used to describe a very negative experience, such as a car accident or a natural disaster. But the word can also be used to describe a less severe or stressful event, such as a bad fall, a frightening experience, or not having our needs met in a healthy way.
Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event. It can be physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual. It can happen to anyone, at any age. And it can have short- and long-term effects.
No matter what the cause, trauma can have a lasting effect on a person’s mental and physical health. It can cause problems with memory, sleep, and concentration. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Trauma can be a difficult thing to overcome. It can leave you feeling scared, alone, and helpless. And with trauma, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for recovery. But there are things you can do to help yourself heal. Here are six mindful ways to help you in your journey:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions after a traumatic event, and it’s important to acknowledge these feelings rather than trying to push them away. Don’t bottle up your emotions – instead, allow yourself to feel them fully. This doesn’t mean wallowing in self-pity, but it does mean accepting that you’re going through a tough time. Allow yourself to feel sad, angry, scared, or whatever else you’re feeling. It’s okay to cry or to express your emotions in other healthy ways.
2. Talk about Your Experience
Talking about your experiences can be incredibly therapeutic. It can be a helpful way to process what happened and to start to make sense of it. Find someone you trust—a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor — and share what you’re going through.
Don’t feel like you have to go into detail if you’re not ready, but simply talking about your experiences can help you to process them and start to move on. If you don’t feel ready to talk about your experience, that’s okay—there are other ways to express what you’re feeling, such as writing, drawing, or painting.
3. Seek Professional Help
If you’re struggling with your experience, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. A professional can provide you with support and guidance as you work through your emotions, work on underlying issues, and develop a healthy recovery mechanism.
4. Do Not Overthink Your Trauma
It’s natural to want to understand what happened to you and why it happened. However, overthinking your trauma can actually make it harder to recover. If you find yourself obsessing over your trauma, mindfulness practices can help bring you and keep you in the present moment without ruminating on past experiences or negative future possibilities. You can also talk to a professional about your thoughts and feelings.
5. Take Care of Yourself
It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally after experiencing trauma. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. Also, make sure to do healthy things that make you happy and help you to relax. This might include reading, spending time in nature, or listening to music.
6. Be Patient
Recovery from trauma can be a long and difficult process. It’s important to be patient with yourself and to understand that there is no “right” way to heal. Everyone recovers from trauma in their own way and at their own pace.
Conclusion
If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, you may be feeling a range of intense and confusing emotions. It’s important to know that these feelings are normal and that there is help available. If you’re struggling with your trauma, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A professional can provide you with support and guidance as you work through your trauma and begin to heal.
Lisa Sabatini offers a holistic approach to traumatic healing that can help you recover from the aftermath of traumatic events. Through this approach, we can begin to heal the emotional and physical wounds left behind by trauma. Let us help you find a sense of peace and calm as you start healing the wounds of your past. Get in touch with us today!