All of these situations aretrauma-inducing.
How do we know if were experiencing trauma?
Its not always easy to recognize that youre struggling.
Youre simply trying to make it through the day.
Have you stopped taking walks or going for bike rides?
If so, think about why.
co-founder and chief clinical officer ofCoa, an online mental health resource
Are you eating differently, watching more or less TV, staying in touch with friends?
Consider your patterns and what your life looks like when youre healthy.
What does trauma do to our bodies?
The longer you remain in this state, the more vulnerable you become.
A consistently high blood pressure or fast heart rate could lead to cardiovascular disease.
The more cortisol circulating through your body, the more youre vulnerable to infections.
And if youre overwhelmed or depressed, you could emotionally withdraw from other people.
When people are chronically traumatized and havent dealt with it, they often become isolated, says Gordon.
They emotionally shut down and cant closely connect with other people.
co-founder and chief clinical officer ofCoa, an online mental health resource
What is The Missionary Sex Position?
Ask yourself how youre doing and what you need.
If you havent been on your bike for months, dont push yourself to do it, Anhalt advises.
Sometimes we need all of our resources just to exist.
If you cant go out on that bike ride, thats okay.
Then, create a self-care routine to slowly bring your mental and emotional health back into balance.
Start with one or two changes, and as you begin to experience the benefits, add on.
Gordons bookTransforming Traumawalks readers through how to process and heal from trauma.
He recommends beginning withsoft belly breathingand then shaking and dancing.
Plus, as these become a part of your life, youll automatically use them when needed.
Youll start using those techniques when youre agitated or really anxious, says Gordon.
It becomes an antidote to the fight or flight and the stress responses.
If were sad and cant cry or mourn, we can sink into a deeper state of depression.
It also helps you become more comfortable expressing your emotions as they come up.
Some ideas include:
Connect with others
You are not alone.
And even though we know everyone is experiencing this pandemic, our emotions often make us feel isolated.
Connecting with others is critical to begin the healing process.
Sometimes, very briefly reaching out can make a difference, Gordon says.
The other day, when I was feeling overwhelmed, I reached out to a friend.
I told her what was on my mind, and within two minutes my mood shifted.
My mood changed just because I was confiding in someone.
Creating groups of friends and communities of understanding is really crucial.
In the long run, this bang out of healing will be most important.
Anhalt believes that right now, everyone needs a little extra support.
In addition to reaching out to friends, she also suggests exploring therapy.
Therapy can mean lots of thingstheres art therapy, trauma therapy, talk therapy, etc., she explains.
So if you have the time and money to make therapy possible, give it a try.
Theres something really powerful about building resilience over time.
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