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If you have experienced trauma or a traumatic event, then it can seem like an impossible feat to overcome your past. You may be feeling angry, upset, helpless, or a combination of all three emotions. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you can come out the other side stronger and more resilient than ever before. It is starting to become clear how many people, both young and old, have realised the importance of trauma counselling and seeking help when they go through a tough time. If you read on, we can help you discover how you can overcome your trauma in five steps and move on with your life.
Step 1: Surround Yourself with Support
Although your natural response to a traumatic event may be to isolate yourself from those closest to you, this is not good for your recovery. Instead, you need to surround yourself with positive people who can support you in your time of need. Reach out to family and friends, and especially others who have also experienced trauma, as this can help you to open up about how you feel.
Step 2: Seek Professional Help
If you struggle to talk to people you know about what has happened to you, then you may want to seek professional support instead. You can find a wide range of support services for people that have experienced trauma, such as Biblical Counselling in Canada, which is aimed specifically at teenagers who have suffered trauma.
Step 3: Join a Support Network
As well as talking to a mental health expert and your family and friends, it can also be highly beneficial to join a support group or network that is specifically designed for people who have experienced trauma. There are local trauma support groups all over the country, or if you do not feel ready to talk to people in person, you could join an online support group or forum.
Step 4: Face Your Feelings
If you are the type of person that tends to bury your head in the sand, then you should know that this can hinder the healing process. Instead, you need to face your feelings head-on and identify any triggers rather than try to ignore them. This will help you to move on from your traumatic experience and accept what has happened to you.
Step 5: Adopt Healthy Coping Strategies
Many people turn to unhealthy habits after a traumatic event, such as drinking alcohol or abusing drugs. Yet, this will only mask how you feel rather than help you heal. However, by adopting healthy coping strategies such as exercise, meditation, and breathing techniques, you can learn to manage your trauma and any triggers. It is also important that you listen to your mind and body and rest as and when you need to. Getting over trauma can be a lengthy process, and you need to make sure that you take the time you need, rather than base your recovery on others.
While it can feel like an uphill battle, getting over a traumatic event is within your reach and you will start to feel happiness and joy again. It may take months, or it may take years, but you will get there.
