Trauma
Have you ever experienced a scary or stressful event in your life?
Unfortunately, most of us have experienced or will experience some sort of trauma in our lifetimes. Trauma can include experiences such as accidents, medical procedures, sexual harassment, emotional neglect, domestic violence, death of loved ones, divorce, birth trauma or anything that overwhelms your ability to cope. It can make you feel exhausted, depressed, angry, confused, sad, anxious, agitated, guilty, hopeless, withdrawn, numb, dissociated,physically aroused, or with blunted affect even if traumatic event happened many many years ago. In fact, trauma is incredibly prevalent with 70% of adults having experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime.
In addition, Studies suggest that trauma could make you more vulnerable to developing physical health problems, including long-term or chronic illnesses.This is because trauma affects your body as well as your mind, which can have a long-term impact on your physical health, for example: irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, according to Harvard Medical School research.
Finally, there is a thing called Intergenerational trauma, which says that trauma can be inherited because there are genetic changes in a person's DNA. The changes from trauma do not damage the gene (genetic change). Instead, they alter how the gene functions (epigenetic change). This means that even if you had never experienced traumatic event yourself, there is a big chance that some of your ancestors did and that trauma is being passed down to you.
From outward appearances, a trauma survivor may look whole and healthy. In fact this person might look like their life is great and perfect. But unfortunately trauma can fester like an invisible wound, weakening the body's defences until it manifests in the form of physical or emotional illnesses.
Trauma is a very serious thing, do not underestimate it. And Healing from it is an individual experience. What works for one person may not for another, that is why if you think that you had experienced trauma in your life it's best to work with the professional who will develop the healing strategy fitted just for you.
But you can also support yourself by:
1. Conscious breathing and breathwork can help process and release the experiences of trauma. Trauma breathwork is conscious and intentional breathing that releases trauma stored in the body. Intentional trauma breathwork helps with trauma processing and healing by bypassing the conscious mind, deactivating the sympathetic nervous system, and having a restorative effect on its practitioners. Ultimately, breathing techniques for trauma are designed to facilitate self-healing through connection to breath — permitting whatever comes up to be expressed, processed, and released.
2. Movement and Exercise. As trauma disrupts your body's natural equilibrium, exercise and movement can help repair your nervous system. Focus on your body, how it feels as you move, notice the rhythm of your breath, feel the ground on your feet, or the wind on your skin. Continually breathing and being intently aware of these sensations grounds you in the moment and allows you to create mindfulness, peace, and calm while doing productive tasks.
3. Connect with Others. Making a connection is also a part of healing, so go ahead and take that lunch invitation or join hobby groups. A healthy "me-time" is okay, but too much may not be healthy as well. If speaking with friends or family makes you uncomfortable, try seeking the help of a behavioral health provider. This is a safe environment for you to share your feelings without judgment. Counselors can help you understand your thoughts and can also give you advice on having a better outlook. Participate in social activities. Socializing can help you feel better. Consider joining a club, taking a class to connect with people who share similar interests with you.
Mental Health Therapist, Kateryna ????
Please note: This post is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
Unfortunately, most of us have experienced or will experience some sort of trauma in our lifetimes. Trauma can include experiences such as accidents, medical procedures, sexual harassment, emotional neglect, domestic violence, death of loved ones, divorce, birth trauma or anything that overwhelms your ability to cope. It can make you feel exhausted, depressed, angry, confused, sad, anxious, agitated, guilty, hopeless, withdrawn, numb, dissociated,physically aroused, or with blunted affect even if traumatic event happened many many years ago. In fact, trauma is incredibly prevalent with 70% of adults having experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime.
In addition, Studies suggest that trauma could make you more vulnerable to developing physical health problems, including long-term or chronic illnesses.This is because trauma affects your body as well as your mind, which can have a long-term impact on your physical health, for example: irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, according to Harvard Medical School research.
Finally, there is a thing called Intergenerational trauma, which says that trauma can be inherited because there are genetic changes in a person's DNA. The changes from trauma do not damage the gene (genetic change). Instead, they alter how the gene functions (epigenetic change). This means that even if you had never experienced traumatic event yourself, there is a big chance that some of your ancestors did and that trauma is being passed down to you.
From outward appearances, a trauma survivor may look whole and healthy. In fact this person might look like their life is great and perfect. But unfortunately trauma can fester like an invisible wound, weakening the body's defences until it manifests in the form of physical or emotional illnesses.
Trauma is a very serious thing, do not underestimate it. And Healing from it is an individual experience. What works for one person may not for another, that is why if you think that you had experienced trauma in your life it's best to work with the professional who will develop the healing strategy fitted just for you.
But you can also support yourself by:
1. Conscious breathing and breathwork can help process and release the experiences of trauma. Trauma breathwork is conscious and intentional breathing that releases trauma stored in the body. Intentional trauma breathwork helps with trauma processing and healing by bypassing the conscious mind, deactivating the sympathetic nervous system, and having a restorative effect on its practitioners. Ultimately, breathing techniques for trauma are designed to facilitate self-healing through connection to breath — permitting whatever comes up to be expressed, processed, and released.
2. Movement and Exercise. As trauma disrupts your body's natural equilibrium, exercise and movement can help repair your nervous system. Focus on your body, how it feels as you move, notice the rhythm of your breath, feel the ground on your feet, or the wind on your skin. Continually breathing and being intently aware of these sensations grounds you in the moment and allows you to create mindfulness, peace, and calm while doing productive tasks.
3. Connect with Others. Making a connection is also a part of healing, so go ahead and take that lunch invitation or join hobby groups. A healthy "me-time" is okay, but too much may not be healthy as well. If speaking with friends or family makes you uncomfortable, try seeking the help of a behavioral health provider. This is a safe environment for you to share your feelings without judgment. Counselors can help you understand your thoughts and can also give you advice on having a better outlook. Participate in social activities. Socializing can help you feel better. Consider joining a club, taking a class to connect with people who share similar interests with you.
Mental Health Therapist, Kateryna ????
Please note: This post is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
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