If you’ve experienced trauma this is what you need to know

If you’ve experienced trauma, you know that the world can be a very scary place. You’re hyper-aware of everything—the subtle changes in the weather, the people standing near you on the subway, the cars around you when you’re driving. It’s as if your senses are on high alert at all times, ready to react to anything that could potentially trigger a memory of your trauma and set off an anxious cascade of thoughts and feelings.

The good news is that there are resources out there for people who have experienced trauma—and one of those resources is a trauma healing retreat in the form of meditation, yoga, and other holistic activities that help you unwind and feel safe, supporting your body and mind through the complex process of healing. A good trauma healing retreat will allow you to take a step back from your everyday environment, giving you time to find calm and grounding within yourself before moving back into your normal life.

Three things you can do to cope with trauma

There are a few different approaches that people take when they're healing from trauma. Some like the distraction of working on a huge project while they process their memories, while others like to stay within the safe bubble of their home. All these ways are valid ways of self-regulating because everyone heals in their own way and at their own pace. If you feel like your current coping mechanisms are not helping, however, there are a few things you could do to address the issue.

Challenge your creativity

If you've experienced trauma, your mind and body are in a state of emergency. It doesn't matter if it was last year, or you were just a child: the response is the same. You need to be grounded, centered and calm to recover. And there's no better way to accomplish this than through creativity.

Focusing on a creative activity requires intense concentration and problem-solving skills, which will help keep your mind from wandering back to the traumatic event and will allow you to enjoy being in the present moment.

Taking on a new skill or studying something new will also help you regain a sense of control over your life. Traumatic experiences can leave survivors feeling helpless and out of control so taking on new challenges may help them regain a sense of empowerment when it comes to their own lives.

Listen to your body

It may seem obvious, but listening to your body is one of the most important steps in healing from trauma. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, whether or not it's a trigger, it's important to know that you can stop what you're doing and change it up. Leave if you need to. Change positions if you're sitting a lot. Move your body, even if the idea of actual exercise seems overwhelming, taking a few steps outside and soaking in the sunlight can help with anxiety symptoms. Breathe deeply if your chest tightens up. So many people say that they don't have time for self-care because they have more pressing issues to tackle —but self-care is absolutely essential for getting through anything stressful or difficult, and even something as simple as taking a few deep breaths or taking a bath can make all the difference between an okay day and a terrible one. Even though it feels like self-care is just putting off whatever needs your attention, it's important to remember that healing takes time and that you should always show compassion and kindness to yourself.

Fix the minor inconveniences that are bothering you

Trauma doesn’t just change your life: it changes the way you handle conflict and stress. Trauma survivors are often prone to anger or over-reaction in the face of perceived threats, even when those "threats" are nothing but the stresses of daily life. They may feel “out of control” in social situations and be unable to properly process whatever is happening to them. Sometimes, however, what seems part of the problem can become part of the solution.

Whether it is an argument at home or a problem with a coworker, when you have experienced trauma, you may be more inclined to avoid conflict rather than face it head on. This avoidance can lead to resentment and hurt feelings which can then cause bigger problems down the road. The same goes for aspects of your life that feel incomplete or overwhelming, such as tidying up a messy flat or doing a load of laundry.

Break complex tasks down into smaller and easily manageable ones and enjoy the rewarding feeling of taking control over a small portion of your life at a time.

Conclusion

There are a lot of misconceptions about trauma. While the effects of trauma can be devastating, and highly personal, there is a lot that can be done to help from both personal and professional sources. One thing that bears repeating is the importance of seeking out professional help for dealing with trauma-related issues.