As you embark on your healing journey, you should focus on rebuilding yourself physically as well as mentally and emotionally. Afterall, these are all interconnected pieces of your intricate self. When you commit to taking care of your physical being by eating right and exercising as well as practicing other methods of self-care, including mindful meditation, yoga, or simply spending a few minutes alone to “clear your thoughts,” this will also translate to a healthier mental and emotional state. You will have a clearer picture of where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going simply by taking care of yourself and ensuring you can think optimally and have enough energy to stay on track.
When you exercise, your body releases feel-good chemicals that help you to relax and improve your mood. This, in turn, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and lowers stress levels. Stress, which goes hand in hand with experiencing trauma, causes the body to produce cortisol which leads to fat deposits. As you commit to exercising, these deposits are replaced with muscle which will build physical strength and stamina – making even stressful situations more easy to handle and giving you more energy to face challenges.
Trauma can do a number on one’s memory, too, and this is due to many factors. For one, it actually changes brain chemistry over time, making it physical different. Trauma also causes one to disconnect and avoid painful memories. Exercising improves memory and can restore balance in the brain. When balance is restored, you are less likely to experience moments of panic and heightened anxiety when faced with triggers.
Another mental and emotional benefit of exercise is that it will enable you to sleep better. If you suffer from hypervigilance, an unhealthy startle response caused by trauma that tends to hinder sleep, exercising will help you to be more relaxed.
Studies show that physical activity can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication. And, you don’t have to commit to a time-consuming routine, either. Just a 15-minute jog once a day can greatly reduce symptoms. Exercise changes the brain in many powerful and positive ways, including promoting neural stem growth, reducing inflammation, and releasing endorphins and serotonin. Serotonin is the feel-good chemical that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which are commonly used to fight depression and anxiety, promote.
There are many benefits to focusing on your physical self when committing to a lifelong journey of sustainable healing post-trauma. Make sure to have a chat with your physician before starting any new exercise routine. You’ll want to make sure you understand the strengths and limitations of your mind and body post-trauma and don’t overdo it.