Handling trauma response and PTSD

The traumatic events we experienced in our life have a profound impact in ourselves, modifying our behaviors and emotional responses, especially in situations that remind us in some way to the traumatic event we went through. 
It is important to be able to acknowledge and recognize those, as we are NOT our traumas and even though they can affect and impact our personality we should always choose to come back to our divine self, knowing that this is not an easy or quick path.
Even if we are not our trauma, we need to validate it and accept it as a part of us in the moment present. We must get rid of any kind of guilt or bad feeling for still carrying it. They contribute to the person we are today, and some of them carry important lessons for our development, so there is no shame on them. 
It can be helpful to make your closer circle and support network aware of them, so they can be mindful and better comprehend you and support you if you get triggered at some point.
With that being said, let’s be aware also that we won’t always find that mindfulness or support that we expect, and that is ok.
Trauma can make us feel so vulnerable, and when we feel vulnerable, we can get egocentric, expecting our loved ones to be extra caring and supportive, and forgetting that they are also individuals with their own traumas and lives.
But trying to find support is important, as isolating can make things worse, so try to surround yourself with people that feels like FAMILY. And I highlight this because not anyone is going to be right for you during that difficult time. You want to be surrounded by people who genuinely love you and care for you, and you want to avoid superficial connections and shallow plans that are made just to distract yourself from the pain. Sometimes it might be difficult to find people that really make you feel supported, know that this is also ok as no one teach us emotional intelligence or how to deal with traumatic events or negative emotions, not our own not the ones from others around us.
Here is some advice to help you navigating a difficult time. These are things that will help you to heal:

• Self-care: Taking time for yourself is a must, do things that make you feel good and rise your vibration. Whatever works for you, taking a bath, having a massage, cooking yourself a nice meal… Give love to yourself.

• Move your body: Even if your energy can feel very low when dealing with trauma, doing sport of physical activity can really help you as it will make you release endorphins which help you deal with pain and stress.  They can also be increased through activities like dancing, creating, listening to music and laughing.

• Meditate: Mindfulness practices help you with keeping the mind present in the now instead of recalling the past or getting anxious about the future. Learning to control your thoughts is a great skill to keep a clear and positive mind.

• Avoid recreational substances:  In these moments it can be very tempting to overuse alcohol or drugs, be aware about this and hold yourself back. You won’t be able to work through your feelings if you are actively suppressing them by taking substances. 

• Journal: Writing about your emotions is a way to face them and release them. If it feels too uncomfortable you can also benefit just from sitting with your emotions and allow yourself to recognize them, accept them and feel them.

• Spend time in nature or with pets: Nature has a powerful grounding and relaxing impact on us as well as spending time with our pets.

• Regulate your nervous system: Keeping your body relaxed and unstressed is an important part of the process. Any of the above can work, as well as developing your spiritual practice; Yoga, breath-work or Reiki are great tools for that.

 

• Find support: Try to do not isolate yourself and spend time with loved ones. You can also look for therapy groups to speak to people that have experienced the same or 1:1 therapy to have someone that supports you during your process.

 
Any other that you would add? 

Loads of love,

Julia