Leaving the Past Behind – How to Heal From Trauma
A traumatic experience can happen at any stage of life. As a child, you might experience abuse or neglect, or witness acts of domestic violence. As an adult, you might find yourself witnessing a traumatic event, or being a victim of abuse yourself.
Unfortunately, the bigger issue with trauma is that it tends to linger long after the experience itself is over.
People who have experienced some type of trauma in life can carry the effects of it with them for years. Adults who experienced childhood trauma might even repress it for years before symptoms start to come through.
If not properly addressed and treated, the effects of trauma can negatively impact your quality of life.
Thankfully, it’s possible to heal and start a new chapter with the right help, support, and actions.
Practicing Self-Care
One of the best things you can do to heal from trauma is to treat yourself well. It’s common for people who have experienced trauma to feel guilt or shame. Unfortunately, that negative voice might make it difficult for you to be kind and compassionate with yourself.
Don’t let that voice win. Instead, make self-care a priority in your life. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money or do extravagant things. Rather, self-care is about integrating small things into your routine that can make a big difference in your well-being.
Things like prioritizing sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising can all improve your overall well-being. Journaling, mindfulness, and meditation are also great ways to boost your mental health and help you feel more in control of your thoughts.
Self-care can also include finding and participating in hobbies that interest you. Finding something to look forward to will not only ease your mind but can help to distract you from traumatic thoughts and the symptoms that can come from them. You’ll be able to see that you aren’t defined by your experience.
Learn Your Trauma Triggers
Depending on the type of trauma you’ve endured, you might have certain triggers that can cause your symptoms to worsen at any given time. Some of the most common trauma triggers include anniversaries of the event, seeing a person connected to the experience, sights, smells, sounds, or locations.
Obviously, you won’t always be able to avoid your trauma triggers. But, developing an understanding of what they are can help you to prepare yourself for them. For example, if a certain person is triggering traumatic memories, you might want to set boundaries with that person or develop a strategy that will help you feel safe when you’re around them.
Get the Help You Deserve
If you’ve been through a traumatic experience at any age, it doesn’t have to control how you live your life forever. You can heal from trauma by putting the past behind you. Most importantly, you don’t have to do it alone.
Having a strong support system is a great way to work through the healing process. It’s not always easy to open up about past trauma, especially if it happened during childhood. But knowing you’re surrounded by people who care about you and want to help can make a big difference.
It’s also worthwhile to talk to a mental health professional. A therapist will help you get to the root of your trauma. That’s not always easy; you might be nervous about digging up those memories. However, it’s a necessary step toward true healing.
Your trauma doesn’t define you, and healing is possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about trauma therapy.
