After a terrible event, you may fear being miserable for the rest of your life. While regaining perfect happiness, and health may take some time, there are many things you can do to help yourself. Know that you will be okay and that you can make a full recovery.
A stressful event causes trauma. It occurs when you are emotionally or psychologically damaged, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bereavement, abuse, a plane or automobile crash, a problematic relationship, or breakup are all examples of traumatic events.
7 Steps to Trauma Recovery
Experiencing trauma involves being astonished, disturbed, anxious, or otherwise overwhelmed by one of the occurrences above. Trauma is the body's and mind's reaction to the incident or experience. This leads to traumatic stress, affecting brain functions. For this reason, limiting trauma’s impact and adverse effects is crucial.
Here is a list of seven alternative trauma recovery approaches you may use:
1. Calm Your Mind and Body
By calming your mind and body, you are lessening the trauma symptoms. By regularly practicing meditation or prayer, you will be better prepared to handle any stressful or traumatic situation.
2. Set Aside Time for Emotional Release
To recover from trauma, you need first to express your feelings. This can be done through drawing, writing, journaling, talking to a trusted friend or family member, or other therapy. This is called emotional discharge and is an integral part of the trauma recovery process.
3. Don't Avoid or Overthink the Trauma
While a traumatic event may be hard to recall, do not avoid thinking about it. When you think about the trauma, it is your body's way of reliving it and processing it. While it may feel powerful, your mind and body will be able to better cope with the trauma by releasing it or discussing it.
4. By Avoiding People or Places That Remind You of the Trauma
You may want to avoid people or places that remind you of what happened, but you can learn about how to handle reminders. For example, you can use active coping to cope with trauma symptoms by allowing the memory of the trauma to come into your mind and then thinking of constructive ways to handle the situation.
5. By Continuing with Your Routine
While it may be difficult, you need to continue to do the things you enjoy. As long as they do not cause you more stress and trauma, you can continue to do your normal routine.
6. By Taking Care of Yourself
Practice self-care by having a healthy diet and getting enough rest. You can also try to exercise, which will help you feel better.
7. By Doing Something to Ease Your Pain
By easing your pain, you can better handle the pain and difficult emotions caused by your trauma. By doing something, you are allowing yourself to feel joy. For instance, spending time with a pet, listening to music, watching movies, having a massage, reading a book, being outside, eating out, or spending time with loved ones.
Is There Hope After Trauma?
We often associate trauma with car accidents and surviving through other potentially deadly injuries. However, trauma is much more than a singular physical encounter. Whenever someone cannot cope with the impact of any unpleasant or frightening experience, that is trauma. Sadly, trauma has become a part of many people's lives.
It can be caused by childhood abuse or neglect, bullying, significant relationship issues, the loss of a family member or a friend, or a host of other traumatic events. As Proverbs 12:18 says, "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
People's views about themselves, others, the universe, and God can be permanently skewed if their trauma is not properly addressed, with our minds and bodies affected in various ways.
The good news is that trauma is reversible. Often, trauma rehabilitation comes in stages, beginning with restoring your sense of security, a resolution of painful events, and reintegration into daily life. Don't be discouraged, even if your recovery takes time. There's always hope, even after trauma.
At Hope Seed, we understand that trauma can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can ever go through. Our trauma certified counselors are standing by to provide compassionate, comprehensive, client-centered care. If you are going through a crisis, trauma, or having trouble with a past trauma, please contact us at 832-257-3778.
