We will all experience some form of emotional trauma to some degree in our lifetimes. Emotional trauma can be caused by events in any aspect of life. The loss of a friend or family member, a failed relationship or divorce, loss of employment or loss of financial stability can all create emotional instability and trauma. A certain failure or negative event in life can hinder our ability to ever want to step out of our comfort zone again.
Emotional trauma can affect us psychologically and physically. Emotional trauma can cause us to become detached from ourselves as well as others. It can create a lot of anxiety, fears and insecurities that we never knew existed. Emotional trauma can be crippling. It can affect our motivation, self-esteem and the ability to establish relationships with people. Emotional trauma can also lead to a lack of self-care. We may feel as though we are permanently damaged and will never heal. The pain and suffering feels like an eternity but as with all events in life, time can heal all wounds...if we allow it.
Emotional trauma can lead to the reliance of drugs or alcohol in order to numb any and all feelings. In fact, a lot of people's addictions begin with some form of trauma or other. Drugs and alcohol are often used as a coping mechanism to drown out painful memories and emotions. Drugs and alcohol will only create more problems. It is only a temporary band-aid to a temporary problem. Drugs and alcohol will only worsen physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Depending on needs, I highly recommend a short term rehab or long term rehab if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction.
After a traumatic event, we may feel stuck in neutral. We find it nearly impossible to move on and move forward with our lives. Getting one foot in front of the other is a lot easier said than done. After experiencing emotional trauma, a lot of us may dwell on that person, place, thing or situation. We often wonder if there was anything we could have done differently that would have led to a different result. We beat ourselves up over things that we may or may not have control over.
Learning to let go and the power of acceptance can be vital to healing from emotional trauma. You must first allow yourself the opportunity to heal. There may be something inside your head telling you that there's something wrong with you. It is important to remember that there isn't. This is the result of a trauma-related response. If we allow ourselves to accept a specific person, place, thing or situation as it is, we can begin the healing process.
In our darkest times, it is easy to isolate ourselves and cut out people who care about us. It is important to do the opposite- surround yourself with family and friends for support. Do not hesitate to seek help and guidance from trained professionals. A therapist can be beneficial to the healing process. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help as well. Mindfulness can teach you to live in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Meditation can calm your racing mind. It can help manage stress and anxiety. Meditation can make you more self-aware and allow you to observe your emotions without judgment. A busy body can also calm a busy mind, which is why physical activity may be beneficial to your recovery process. Physical exercise can boost your confidence and releases dopamine and serotonin- neurotransmitters that improve mood and can help combat mental illness.
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