As we’ve covered in previous posts, healing from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress is an effort that needs to be focused both on the internal and the external. We need to heal from the inside out, focusing on all aspects of self – mind, body, and soul – in order to grow post-trauma and truly live.
Let’s take a closer look at methods that can be used to focus on external healing first. This can include both homeopathic and medicinal therapy. Eating the right foods, ingesting the right herbs and supplements, using the essential oils, and any drug therapy recommended by a professional all fall into this category.
Healing externally is an important part of the journey.
Trauma actually alters brain chemistry, and our minds need time to heal and repair themselves as much as possible while continuing to function as expected. Our hearts are now more susceptible to injury, so we need to practice methods for maintaining cardiovascular health and keeping high levels of stress at bay.
It is important to eat foods that are especially beneficial to the heart and mind and to also take natural supplements to regulate mood. There are many essential oils that have proven to be highly effective at helping with our sleep cycles, reducing anxiety, and aiding in our ability to overcome other unwelcome physical symptoms. Many therapists will suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which ease symptoms of depression and keep especially distressing feelings from continuing to disrupt our health.
Healing internally is equally important.
We must relearn to live mentally and emotionally. This means, we need to be able to process emotions in a healthy way and we need to genuinely feel positive feelings again. Some of the ways we can help ourselves with emotional regulation include regular exercise, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, and humor. That’s right, laughter really is the best medicine!
In order to focus on internal healing, we should practice mindfulness techniques daily. We cannot help what has happened to us and we cannot change the past. But, we can refuse to live there any longer. We cannot linger in these circumstances and let them define us.
We must mentally remove ourselves from the way things used to be and focus on the present. This is where we are now, and we must decide to live here while we’re here – truly live – or we will soon be regretting the past once again because we let the present slip away unchanged.
We can elevate ourselves to a better place mentally and emotionally by making a commitment to self to engage with the present world and take things one day at a time. No one said it would be easy, but it is worth it. We have the ability to make the most of these days before they slip away, so we will have cherished memories when we eventually look back on them.
Yoga and meditation, separately or combined, are great for inducing mindful thinking. Being alone with our thoughts and allowing them to trickle in without judgment so we have a solid understanding of where we’re at in our journey is critical for grasping where we need to go. These healing methods are great for every facet of our being. Other forms of exercise, which naturally releases feel-good endorphins, works great as well. Exercise boosts energy, engages the mind, and literally makes us happier.
Healing from trauma takes a concentrated effort. All too often, survivors feel unworthy. They don’t take the steps necessary to change their lives because they are still trapped mentally in the same state they were physically able to escape from. Thus, the present slips into the past and pretty soon it becomes as hard to deal with as it always was because it is difficult to live with constant feelings of failure, guilt, and regret.
Today is a day worth fighting for. Focus on healing both internally and externally. A better life awaits!