Emotional and psychological trauma is caused by extremely stressful events that shatter your sense of security, leaving you feeling helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you with lingering negative emotions, memories, and anxiety. It can also make you feel numb, disconnected, and incapable of trusting others.
Traumatic experiences frequently involve a threat to one’s life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if no physical harm is involved. The subjective emotional experience of the event, rather than the objective circumstances, determines whether an event is traumatic.
Healthline/ Pinterest | It’s okay to not be okay
The more terrified and helpless you feel, the more likely it is that you will be traumatized. Luckily we have rounded up just the tricks to get you past those traumatic events.
Rebuilding Self-Trust
Trust is the bedrock of any relationship, including the one we have with ourselves. We can’t make decisions, we lack confidence, and we feel like we have no control over our own lives if we can’t trust ourselves. Instead, we are plagued by uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt.
Fortunately, self-confidence can be developed and strengthened. Following the trauma of being dismissed and invalidated as a child, here’s what helped me learn to trust my emotions, intuition, and judgment.
Get Back into Your Routine
Healthline/ Pinterest | Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition
You may feel as if your world has been turned upside down immediately following the traumatic event. Returning to your routine is one way to make things feel more normal. Start small by focusing on a few small chores that you used to do, such as taking out the garbage or sweeping the floor. Even doing these minor tasks can provide a sense of accomplishment.
Use checklists to organize your projects when you return to work. Checklists can help you focus on what needs to be done right now and show you how far you’ve come.
Practice Mindfulness
Throughout the day, slow down and check in with yourself. Examine your body. What is your current state of mind? What sensations do you have? What feelings are surfacing? Tune into your inner experience in the present moment. Consciously observe what is going on inside you and take in any messages you receive.
Healthline/ Pinterest | It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event
You stay true to yourself by tuning in and listening to your inner voice. Instead of reacting habitually out of fear, saying yes out of obligation, remaining silent to keep the peace, or prioritizing others over yourself, you learn to respond from your inner wisdom and become more in tune with your wants and needs. You learn to defend yourself.
Stay connected
Family and friends are there to help you through the ups and downs of life. Make contact with them. Spend time with people who are supportive and encouraging. Take the time to call your loved ones if they live a long distance away.
You can also feel connected by participating in a support group, joining a religious or spiritual organization, or befriending your neighbors. You do not have to go through this by yourself.
