After a Trauma: Take Time to Heal
When you go through a trauma, it’s understandable that you might either feel numb or have strong feelings, including fear, guilt, confusion, or anger. It’s also common to be hard on yourself if you’re not getting better. Healing from trauma is a process that doesn’t happen overnight, or even—for many---in a few days or weeks.
Reach Out
It’s easy to avoid people and become isolated, but when you make an effort to connect with others, especially those who have been through similar experiences or who help you to continue on a positive path, the weight of the trauma might start to feel lighter.
Practice Relaxation Methods
You can sometimes feel anxious after a trauma, and calming activities can help. What activities put your body and mind at ease, even for just a little while? Is it swimming, reading, meditating? Do you enjoy creating art or playing music? Spending time with a pet? All these relaxation methods are worth a try.
What to Watch Out For
Don’t get caught up in negative ways of coping. Using alcohol, for example, may help you to get to sleep and forget, but it also interferes with deeper sleep cycle. In the long run, that can interfere with your health and your ability to heal. In order to feel better, it’s important to find strategies that make you feel better and help you be healthy and strong.
When You Need Extra Help
If it’s been more than a couple of months since the trauma, and your symptoms are still interfering with your life, you may need extra help. There are plenty of treatment options that can help. You can explore effective treatments online, or talk with a medical provider about the ones that are best for you.
Each person is different, so allow yourself time to process the pain, and begin to find the best ways for you to manage your reactions.
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