by Naomi Casement on January 25, 2016
Carrying the burden of emotional trauma can be difficult for anyone. Whether the trauma comes from experiences in war, crime, or abuse, the emotions and feelings associated with these events can live well beyond the event. However, there are ways to cope with emotional trauma, and be able to heal from it as well.
Take Care of Yourself
When you’re struggling with emotional trauma, the trauma may be so intense that it is easy to block out other important needs in your life. Therefore, make sure to take care of yourself. Self-care can help with your overall healing process. For instance:
Remember to eat a healthy diet and drink water.
Exercise to stay physically fit. When you exercise you release dopamine, which helps affect mood.
Take the time to do the little things for self-care, such as brushing your teeth, combing your hair, etc.
Stay organized so that you can balance between work, family, and personal obligations.
Breathe to Cope with Emotional Trauma
Practicing breathing exercises such as meditation can help you cope with emotional trauma. When you focus on each breath as you inhale and exhale, you are slowing down. If you have any thoughts that come into your head you can acknowledge the thought, let it slip away, and again focus on your breathing. This can help if you are struggling with racing thoughts or feeling anxious all of the time due to emotional trauma. Meditation can also help relieve stress and improve your mood.
Talk to Someone to Cope with Emotional Trauma
Seeking professional help from a therapist trained in trauma therapy is important for your recovery, but a therapist is not the only person you should reach out to. The University of New Hampshire recommends developing close relationships with other people as a way to heal from trauma. They also recommend:
Talking to others who will be open to hearing you and not discount or invalidate you.
Seeking out connection from a center or support group whose members have had similar experiences and can relate to you.
You can follow other’s advice, but remember that you are choosing to do so, not being forced to.
Talking about the trauma, but also talking about positive things in your life.
Spending time with others doing healthy social activities.
Connecting with others in a way that helps you cope with the isolation and feel validated.
Do the Things You Enjoy to Cope with Emotional Trauma
Besides reaching out to others, the University of New Hampshire also recommends participating in activities that you enjoy and are positive. For example:
Learning a new subject.
Playing with your children.
Listening to, making, or performing music.
Write in a journal, or make lists.
Access spiritual resources.
Spend time with your pet.
Do relaxing things such as taking a warm bath or doing relaxation exercises.
Observe beauty in your life, such as art, nature, photographs, or personal mementos.
Embrace Difficult Feelings to Cope with Emotional Trauma
When healing from an emotionally traumatic experience, it can be easy to avoid the difficult emotions associated with the experience. Many people who have been through traumatic experiences try to numb those feelings through alcohol, drugs, or sex. However, by embracing those emotions with professional guidance, you can find healing and understanding of your emotional trauma.
Going through an emotionally traumatic experience can be one of the most difficult things that you have to face in your life. However, that does not mean that you must live for the rest of your life condemned to letting those events define you. There are ways to find help and healing so that you can address your emotional trauma and move forward in your life.
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