The human mind is just like a sponge. Whether good or bad experiences, it absorbs everything and holds onto a lot.
Sure, we have all had frustrating or even embarrassing moments that stick with us for a long time. Maybe it’s that time you accidentally spilled coffee on your way to work or when you got stuck in traffic on your way to an important meeting.
However, trauma goes deeper than these everyday mishaps. It stems from deeply distressing or harmful experiences, which can include anything from a serious physical injury to emotional abuse and can lead you to lose your sense of self.
The range of experiences that can trigger a traumatic response is broad, so the path to healing can vary greatly from person to person. Let’s understand this in detail.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a strong emotional response that sticks around long after a physically or emotionally stressful event has happened. Just like a deep cut takes time to heal, recovering from trauma also takes time and proper care.
After a traumatic event, your mind can keep replaying the feelings from that event. On being traumatized, your mind can struggle to move past those intense emotions.
Trauma affects two main parts of your brain:
- Hippocampus: This part is responsible for memory. Trauma can mess with how the brain tells the difference between past and present. This means that a memory of a traumatic event might feel like it’s happening right now. For example, a loud noise might trigger feelings of fear similar to those experienced during the traumatic event.
- Amygdala: This part of your brain handles emotions and reactions. When a person experiences trauma, the amygdala can become overly sensitive and always on the lookout for danger. It may react strongly to even small triggers like it’s trying to protect the person by being extra cautious.
So even if the traumatic event happened a long time ago, it can still affect your present life. It can result in panic attacks, depression, or trouble with daily routines.
Recognizing its signs is the first step towards coping with a traumatic event. It’s not just a minor issue to brush off or something to be ashamed of—it’s a significant part of your story that needs understanding and care.
How To Rebuild Your Life After Trauma
1. Acknowledge Your Experience
The first step in healing is to recognize and validate what you’ve been through. It’s easy to brush off or minimize trauma, but acknowledging it is crucial. You might think, “It wasn’t that bad,” or “I should be over this by now.” Remember, your experience is unique to you, and your feelings are valid. Permit yourself to feel, to grieve, and to be real about what you’re going through.
2. Seek Support
You don’t have to go through this alone. Talking to a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma can provide a safe space for you to explore your feelings and begin to understand them. Surround yourself with people who get it and who can offer encouragement without judgment.
Talk to Jacqueline Kane for a Private Coaching session. She’s a remarkable therapist who once in her life felt she wasn’t ever enough and today stands in her power to make healing a way of life!
3. Practice Self-Care
Trauma often leaves us feeling disconnected from ourselves. Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and pampering (though those can be great, too!). It’s about tuning into your necessities and nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. This might include healthy eating, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
4. Reconnect with Yourself
Trauma can make you feel like you’ve lost touch with who you are. Reconnecting with yourself involves rediscovering your interests, passions, and values. What used to bring you joy? What are your dreams and aspirations? Start small—try new activities or revisit old hobbies. Give yourself the space to explore and redefine your identity in a way that feels right for you.
5. Set Boundaries
Healing often requires setting boundaries to protect your emotional well-being. This might mean limiting contact with people or situations that trigger negative emotions. It’s alright to say no and prioritize your mental health. Boundaries are a form of self-respect and can help create a more nurturing environment for your healing process.
6. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Mindfulness helps ground you in the present moment and reduce the power of past trauma. Simple practices like deep breathing, meditation, or mindful walking make a big difference. Coupled with self-compassion—treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend—you can create a more supportive inner dialogue.
Everything Considered
Healing from trauma isn’t about rushing to a finish line; it’s a journey with its own pace, filled with ups and downs. As you make progress— big or small, take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate it.
Be patient with yourself and honor where you are in your healing journey. Know that it’s okay to have setbacks, and it’s okay to feel uncertain at times. What matters most is that you continue moving forward, embracing each new day with the courage to heal and grow.
Join a FREE Healing Circle to ask for support while sharing your frustrations and making your life magic again.
