Take Your Life Back: Recovering From PTSD & Trauma – Part 1
Acknowledge Your Emotions/Feelings
Traumatic events dramatically impact our lives. Accidents, injury, violence, the loss of a loved one, as well as less obvious events ( see more causes and symptoms), can cause debilitating physical and emotional symptoms that negatively impacts our normal activities or enjoyment of life. Surprisingly, some of us can be suffering from the symptoms of trauma and not recognize those debilitating symptoms as the result of an event in our lives. Further, it is not uncommon for these symptoms to appear years after the actual event. Not only does this cause us to not recognize these symptoms as trauma but prevents us from seeking the help that we need.
It Never Too Late to Heal
It is important to know that it is never too late to heal. With the help of a skilled counselling professional, it is possible to repair these wounds and take back your life. However, recovery takes time. I always advise my clients to be gentle with themselves. It is natural to grieve after a traumatic event and it is important to allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced.
Don’t Force the Process
Take all the time you need through your recovery. It doesn’t help to put a deadline on healing deep wounds. Expecting a result by a specific date can often create more stress and impede your recovery. I often define a roadmap for my clients, however, I encourage them to not force the process. Simply focus on each step forward as you progress and the healing will happen.
Start Your Healing Journey Now
Over the next 4 weeks, I will offer some suggestions and skills that you can apply right away towards your healing. Give them a try. Give yourself this opportunity to heal. See what happens. You deserve it!
Skill 1 (of 5) 1: Acknowledge Your Emotions/Feelings:
Empathy is one of the most important aspects of effective communication and ultimately increased intimacy. It suggests to your partner that you really understand and care.
- Say Hello
Don’t try to bury your feelings, deny them or judge them. Acknowledge your feelings without guilt or judgment. Accepting your feelings allows you to process them and is a crucial part of the grieving process. - Become the Observer
The process can be challenging as your emotions go through a natural cycle of peaks and valleys. The most important thing that I advise my clients is to sit with your emotions. Don’t judge them as good or bad. Simply see them as what they are; a physiological reaction to your thoughts and experiences. Become the “Observer.” Observe your emotions without judgment or guilt. - Give it a Name
Name your emotions. They are here to guide you. You should get to know them and understand their purpose.
- Thank Them for Showing Up
Thank your emotions for helping you. They are signals that you need to heal. See your emotions for what they are. They aren’t happening “to you”. As unpleasant as they are, your emotions are showing up for a reason.