How To Care For Yourself If You're Recovering From Trauma

 

Trauma is something that is being talked about much more frequently in the mainstream news, allowing more people to learn about it and its symptoms that can severely affect the quality of someone's life.

 

If you're someone who is affected by trauma, it's important to remember that it is possible to heal from it and to ultimately thrive in your life.

What is trauma?

The APA defines trauma as "an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster." It's possible to be traumatized by a single event or to experience trauma as a result of experiencing a number of events over a period of time. For example, a child from an abusive family might experience a trauma response because of the abuse that they were subjected to.

 

It's natural for a person to go into shock or denial in the time immediately after a traumatic event; it's the mind's way of trying to protect you from the thing you've just experienced.

 

People can continue to experience the effects of trauma for a long time after the event or events took place, and this can stop them from carrying on with their lives.

Impacts on body and mind

A person with trauma may experience both emotional and physical symptoms. Emotional symptoms include things like:

 

●     Denial.

●     Anger.

●     Shame.

●     Fear.

●     Sadness.

●     Anxiety.

●     Depression.

●     Irritability and outbursts.

●     Difficulty concentrating.

●     Hopelessness.

 

Flashbacks and nightmares about the events that caused the trauma can also be a symptom. Physical symptoms of trauma include:

 

●     Headaches.

●     Tiredness.

●     Racing heart.

●     Feeling 'jumpy'

●     Digestive issues.

 

A common physical manifestation of trauma is experiencing hyperarousal, which means feeling on high alert. This means that you constantly feel under threat and like you can't switch off.

How can you heal trauma?

There are a number of different approaches which may be used when healing trauma. Some people find traditional talk therapy very effective, others find crystals for grief or relief in medications, while still others choose to work with the body through practices like yoga.

 

Trauma recovery centers like San Diego's Enlightened Vibrations specialize in addressing trauma in both the body and the mind to achieve the best chances of recovery.

How can you care for yourself while you are healing?

While you are recovering from trauma, it's essential that you pay attention to self-care. This means things like eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep.

 

It's also important that you work on setting boundaries so that you don't over-commit or exert yourself.

 

Some studies also show that exercise can be a really important part of trauma recovery. Exercise is known to increase mood, which is essential for trauma sufferers, and it also provides a more positive self-identity and positive goals to work towards. This helps to combat the feelings of hopelessness that come along with trauma.

 

Even gentle exercise such as walking or cycling can be beneficial, as can ensuring that you get outside every day.