Trauma is a result. When someone endures or witnesses a horrific event, there is the potential for them to experience trauma. Such events may include neglect, abuse, assault, loss, violence, illness, and so much more. Whether or not we are traumatized depends on several specific factors. What matters most is how we experience the events and what impact it has on us (and our life).
An emotional trauma survivor can feel that impact intensely and for a long time. It can negatively affect both your mental and physical health. But you absolutely can heal and recover. You will need to connect with a mental health professional. Also, there are self-help steps you should consider.
4 Ways To Recover From Emotional Trauma
1. Name Your Emotions
Trauma, especially when it leads to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can leave you feeling lost and floundering. One way to regain some perspective is to identify and accept what happened and how you feel about it. To fully resolve emotional trauma inherently requires you to name your emotions. Journaling is an excellent way to begin this critical process.
2. Practice Daily Self-Care
Recovering from trauma is assisted if you feel resilient. Building resilience is possible through a daily commitment to self-care. You will reduce stress while reminding yourself that you’re worth the effort — thus, laying the groundwork for trauma recovery. Some elements to consider:
Regular sleep patterns: Get to bed and wake up roughly the same time each day and night.
Make healthy eating (and drinking) choices: Ask for nutritional advice if you need it and resist the urge to self-medicate with junk food, drugs, or alcohol.
Movement: Exercise has a very positive effect on people with PTSD.
Relaxation techniques: These can be whatever works for you, e.g. walking, taking a bath, listening to music, hanging out with friends, etc.
3. Be Mindful
Pay attention to each moment. The anxiety of emotional trauma will tempt you into living the past and/or dreading the future. Recovery — and real life — exists in the present. Mindfulness is a practice that ground us in the present moment through breathing, meditation, and partaking in creative activities.
4. Do Not Isolate Yourself
A trauma survivor often feels a powerful desire to withdraw from the public. No one understands me, you think. It may feel like others are judging you and you have to keep explaining yourself. Reject this notion and instead:
Seek and accept the support you deeply need: There are friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family members who would love to help if you’d let them.
Socialize: Spending quality time with people with trust provides you with a powerful balance to the ongoing stress of trauma.
Find a support group: There is so much solace to be found in a group of people (in person or online) who truly “get” what you have been through and what you are feeling.
Help others: This is considered to be age-old advice for a good reason: it really works!
Find a Way to Connect With an Experienced Therapist
Emotional trauma recovery is not a solo journey. You will need to seek out the right kind of help for your personal needs. For starters, that means finding a trauma-informed therapist. Your sessions are like a workshop where you can do the challenging work of confronting the trauma and finding ways to heal.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the long-term effects of emotional trauma, we should talk soon. I invite you to reach out and set up a free and confidential consultation. Get your questions answered and move forward on the road to recovery. Despite the past, you can thrive again. Please click on Trauma and PTSD Treatment if you’re interested in more information.