Trauma is a complex experience that is different for everyone. It can involve a wide range of emotions and thoughts and influence how we think, feel, and behave. If left untreated, trauma can lead to long-term emotional problems. It can also affect relationships and professional lives. While trauma can resolve itself over time, some people find that they need extra help to overcome their traumatic experiences and move on with their lives. Here are some suggestions to help you heal from trauma.
Validate Your Experience
The very first step to healing from trauma is to accept that your experience was real and that it has affected you emotionally. Trying to deny how you feel about what you experienced may cause you to react badly each time you think about it. You have to realize that there is nothing wrong with feeling the way you do or reacting in a certain way. It is okay to be upset or angry. Many other people have experienced similar situations and they face similar struggles too—so there is nothing to be ashamed of. Recognize that what you are going through is a normal response to an abnormal situation. This will allow you to move forward.
Open Your Unconscious Mind
Sometimes, the trauma that you carry can be buried deep within your subconscious. This trauma can cause you to limit your actions in life or respond fearfully to certain situations even years after the initial experience. Some people have found it helpful to take natural mind-altering substances such as magic mushrooms to unlock and address their unconscious trauma. However, it can be difficult to source magic mushrooms as they are illegal in some countries. If you want to try this sort of approach, you will have to grow your own hallucinogenic mushrooms from legal spores. With help from a therapist who understands psychedelics, you may be able to break free from the mental hold that hidden trauma has on your life.
Find Supportive People
Although isolation is a common response to trauma, talking can help more than you think. You can benefit from talking to friends and family members who can listen to what you are going through without passing judgment. It is also useful to find people who have been through similar experiences as yourself. There are many support groups for various types of survivors; they can help you to understand your experience better and provide support for you as you work through the healing process. Talking to a therapist can also be an effective way to process your feelings and emotions. A therapist can provide a safe space where you can talk about your experiences, and they can help you reframe the way you see yourself.
Practice Trauma Release Exercises
Trauma release exercises (TRE) are a series of movements designed to bring your body to relax and release stress, tension, and trauma. While the exercises cannot heal your mental wounds, they can help to calm down your nervous system and relieve the physical symptoms that often come with people who are constantly in ‘fight or flight’ mode. The exercises were developed by Dr. David Berceli, who worked extensively with survivors of war or natural disasters. Videos of TRE are readily available and are easy enough to be practiced by people of all levels of fitness. There are now also certified TRE therapists in many countries and regions around the world.
Return to Nature
Spending time in nature can be a great form of self-care and healing for those who have experienced trauma. It can help to calm your mind and give you some much-needed quiet time away from busy places full of potential triggers. If you live near a park or nature reserve, try to take time for a daily walk there. Even just a short visit can help to reduce your stress levels and bring peace of mind. If you do not have the opportunity to spend time in nature every day, try to seek solitude in the outdoors at least once a week. Nature can clear your mind and help you to reconnect with a deeper purpose. Observing wild animals such as birds and squirrels can often bring you joy too.
Love a Companion Animal
Aside from wild animals, companion animals can help you to heal from trauma. An emotional support animal is more than just a pet. They provide you with unconditional love and comfort when you need it most, and they never judge you for the way you feel or behave. Having to care for a companion animal can also make you feel less isolated and give you something productive to do every day. They can calm you down when you are feeling anxious or afraid by allowing you to focus your attention on something else. That said, do not introduce companion animals into your life unless you can give them the care and attention that they need to thrive. Otherwise, they may add to your stress and also get hurt in the process.
Deep-seated trauma can be difficult to dislodge. But there are ways to help reduce your stress levels, improve your mental health, and move on from your past. From taking a shrooms trip to cuddling a dog, these six different ways can help you to start healing from your traumatic experience.