Trauma is akin to a wound that emanates from a sudden and stressful situation that you are unable to immediately process and respond to accordingly. Unlike physical scars, Trauma hurts the psyche, which sometimes makes it hard to establish if you do not know the signs.

For example, you might have been involved in a road accident in New York. You might not have been injured physically but you are still in shock that you still experience flashbacks for years. You might even experience that fear whenever you board a car. These are some of the common signs of trauma.

Well, whether it stems from a single distressing event or prolonged exposure to adverse circumstances, trauma can profoundly affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

However, there are strategies that can aid in your journey toward Healing and recovery. Let’s expound on the strategies you can implement to help you heal from trauma and recover from such incidents:

Seek Professional Support

First and foremost, reaching out to a qualified therapist or counsellor can provide invaluable support on your healing journey.

Therapy offers a safe space to explore your feelings, process traumatic experiences, and develop coping mechanisms tailored to your needs. Yes, you are not alone! There are good NYC anxiety therapists who can help you heal from past trauma through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), or mindfulness practices.

In therapy, you’ll be provided with a safe and supportive environment to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to trauma.

In other words, you’ll get a non-judgmental space where you will likely feel comfortable expressing yourself and processing your emotions. You will eventually be able to develop the skills and resilience needed to cope with trauma-related triggers and move forward in your healing journey.

Cultivate Self-Compassion

Healing from trauma often involves challenging negative self-perceptions and developing self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a loved one facing similar struggles.

For example, if you were hurt and cannot participate in sports or activities that made you happy before the accident, you might feel uneasy about yourself. As that is expected, ensure that you accord yourself enough grace to understand that the situation may be tough but you can always overcome it.

Practice self-care activities that nourish your body, mind, and spirit, whether it’s through meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, or engaging in creative pursuits. These will ensure that you maintain a high degree of normalcy even in the challenging moments.

Establish Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial for protecting your well-being and reclaiming a sense of control over your life. Boundaries protect your emotional and mental well-being,

ensuring that you feel safe and respected. For example, setting boundaries with toxic people who may trigger negative emotions can prevent retraumatization and promote healing.

Additionally, a professional therapist might advise you, boundaries help you prioritise self-care, allowing you to allocate time and energy to activities that nurture your recovery. By clearly defining your limits, you communicate your needs effectively, fostering healthier relationships and reducing the risk of being taken advantage of.

Engage in Physical Activity

Engaging in Physical Activity while healing from trauma can be incredibly beneficial for your overall well-being. Research has revealed that exercise helps release endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

It also provides a healthy outlet for stress and pent-up emotions. Furthermore, physical activity can improve your sleep quality, which is crucial for recovery.

Whether it’s yoga, running, or dancing, finding a form of exercise that you enjoy can make the healing process more manageable. For example, going for a daily walk in nature can provide a sense of calm and connection.

Foster Supportive Connections

You may be tempted to withdraw from friends and social activities following a traumatic event, but connecting face to face with other people is crucial to your healing. The simple act of talking face to face with another human can trigger hormones that relieve traumatic stress.

You don’t have to talk about your traumatic experiences. Reaching out to others doesn’t necessarily mean talking about the traumatic event.

Comfort comes from feeling connected and involved with others you trust. Talk about and do “normal” things with friends and loved ones, things that have nothing to do with the event that triggered your traumatic stress.

Additionally, expand your social network. If you live alone or your social network is limited, it’s never too late to reach out to others and make new friends. Take advantage of support groups, church gatherings, and community organisations. These practices into your daily life can promote emotional resilience and inner peace.

Explore Creative Expression

Engaging in creative expression, whether it’s through art, music, writing, or other forms of self-expression, can be therapeutic for processing trauma and expressing emotions that are difficult to articulate verbally. Having fun is a great healing tool. Engaging your brain in creative activities and artistic endeavours has been proven to improve physiological and psychological outcomes in people.

You can try art therapy or be completely casual about your creativity and do it alone. What matters is that you engage with anything creative that feels positive for you.

Wrapping up

Trauma, with its invisible scars, can linger like a shadow, affecting every aspect of your life. It can distort your perception of reality, shatter your sense of security, and leave you feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. Yet, amidst the darkness, there lies hope. Healing from trauma is possible, and within your grasp. You can explore the strategies we’ve mentioned, particularly seeking professional help to get tailored support that will set you on a path to reclaim your strength again!

The post Navigating the Path to Recovery: 6 Strategies That Can Help You Heal From Trauma appeared first on Motherhood: The Real Deal.