Trauma is a part of life for us all. From the moment we emerge from the womb, we may experience trauma in dozens of different forms. Thankfully, the human mind is incredibly resilient and we adapt in response to trauma.
The mind and soul do the best they can to manage stressful experiences and we adjust our behaviors in response to them. However, the ways in which we cope with and respond to trauma can sometimes lead to challenges that persist, even after the initial source of trauma is gone.
This guide offers trauma survivors tools for successful self-care – from recognizing symptoms of trauma to engaging in healthy activities that can promote wellbeing.
Childhood Trauma Echoes into the Present
The impact of childhood trauma can remain with us into adulthood. This is one reason why people who are experiencing symptoms of a trauma-related disorder do not always make the connection to trauma as the source. The reverberating effects of past trauma often manifest as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression or mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder or other conditions.
Understand the Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma can have a significant impact on a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Recognizing the symptoms of trauma is key to taking the necessary steps towards healing and recovery.
Symptoms of trauma may include:
- Flashbacks
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Difficulties concentrating and retaining information
- Intense negative emotions, such as anger or sadness
- Heightened startle response to surprise stimuli
- Hypervigilance (constantly on guard)
- Numbness and difficulty with emotional connections
- Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event
- Feeling detached from one’s body and/or environment
- Self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse or reckless driving
Why Self-Care for Trauma Matters
Self-care is a core aspect of living a healthy and balanced life for us all. For trauma survivors, it provides essential comfort, safe harbor from symptoms and centeredness. Self-care for trauma involves taking deliberate actions to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Learning How to Practice Self-Care for Trauma
Meditation and Relaxation
Mindfulness, Transcendental Meditation, yogic breathing and other relaxation techniques are proven to reduce stress and anxiety. They can even provide some limited relief from chronic pain and improve cardiovascular health.
Communing with Nature
We often forget that we are more than mere inhabitants of the natural world, we are a part of it. Even if you don’t think of yourself as the “outdoorsy type”, time in nature can have a profound effect on how you feel.
Physical Exercise
Regular exercise releases endorphins and hormones that affect mood. Just 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day can make a noticeable difference in your mood and ability to concentrate.
Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries can be difficult but it is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships and ensuring your own well-being. It’s important to communicate your boundaries clearly and assertively, while still being respectful and caring towards others.
Help for Trauma-Related Conditions
At Reconnect, our specialized mental health programs offer intensive trauma and mental health treatment for a wide range of conditions. From major depression to generalized anxiety, PTSD and CPTSD, our behavioral health specialists are dedicated to helping people overcome and live better lives. If you or someone you love is living with a mental health disorder or the symptoms of trauma, we want to help. Give Reconnect a call at (310) 903-8349 today, to find out how we can be of service.
