Self-care strategies have always played a pivotal role in maintaining overall well-being amidst the hustle and bustle of life. However, when you add the complexity of living with trauma, consistent self-care strategies become an essential element for coping and thriving. Trauma therapy sessions are instrumental in identifying and working through emotionally taxing experiences. However, self-care strategies that work hand-in-hand with the therapy sessions can yield incredible results in maintaining long-term healing. In this blog post, we will discuss a comprehensive guide to self-care strategies that can be practiced in conjunction with trauma therapy.
1) Mindful Breathing Techniques
Mindful breathing techniques or deep breathing have significant benefits not only to the physical but also to the mental and emotional aspects of health. It has been found to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, and improve depression symptoms. Additionally, breathing exercises are an excellent way to reconnect with your body and yourself after undergoing therapy. Mindful breathing requires you to focus your attention on your breath and observe it without judgment or attachment to any thoughts that arise.
2) Exercise
Physical exercise, when done correctly, can be a practical and natural way of taking care of your body and mind. Consistent exercise has been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. For some people, exercise can be a form of mindfulness meditation when done with focus and concentration. An essential factor to remember when including exercise as part of self-care is consistency. Creating an achievable routine and sticking to it, even when it feels like it’s too much, can boost overall well-being significantly.
3) Journaling/Meditation
Journaling and meditation are excellent ways to reconnect with one's self and process emotions. Journaling can be an opportunity to maintain a daily log of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that help you identify patterns and progress. On the other hand, meditation provides an opportunity to focus the mind and connect with the positive aspects of life. Together with trauma therapy, journaling, and meditation can give you a sense of being grounded, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
4) Connect with nature
Connecting with nature, even for just a few moments, can have tremendous benefits on overall health. When you step outside and into the natural world, you communicate with the environment and connect with the universe. Nature has the power to reduce levels of anger, fear, and stress while increasing feelings of well-being. Visiting national parks, taking a walk, or just sitting in the backyard and soaking up the sun, fresh air, and natural surroundings can be a powerful self-care strategy.
5) Connectedness with loved ones
Human beings thrive off of connectedness. Whether it's with their loved ones, family, or friends, the affection received through love and human contact plays significant roles in their well-being. Current research has found that social support is crucial to get through difficult times, more so for those living with trauma. Even if it's a simple text message or phone call, communicating and connecting with loved ones can go a long way in maintaining an individual's overall well-being.
Trauma therapy is the first step in healing from the events that have caused trauma in life. Pairing it with consistent self-care strategies can help maintain and boost overall well-being. Mindful breathing, exercise, journaling/meditation, connecting with nature, and connectedness with loved ones are just some of the powerful self-care strategies when practiced in conjunction with trauma therapy sessions. Remember, like in most things, consistency and perseverance lead to the ultimate goal of sustained healing.
Contact a local therapy clinic to learn more, like Dandelion Mental Health Services.
Share7 February 2024
When my daughter began having academic problems in school and acting out, I knew that something wasn’t right. Her teachers wanted me to put her on ADD medications, but I didn’t think that that was the right course for us. I had serious doubts that ADD was what was causing her problems. I took her to several different specialists before discovering that her issues in school were actually do to a visual processing problem. The doctor recommended vision therapy, not medication, to help correct the problem and get her back on track. The exercises are really starting to pay off, and she’s showing great improvement.
