Trauma has been present in our society from the time calamities and wars started taking place in the society. However, most of the victims don’t get the proper treatment for healing from it which results in the health of those victims. Unhealed trauma can cause cancer, and we take this matter lightly.
We shouldn’t ignore the adverse effects trauma has on an individual. It costs not only the well-being of an individual but a whole country in terms of workforce and society.
The question that arises here is ‘How to heal from trauma?’
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that works to improve the lives of people with mental health and substance use disorders. This administration has worked hard in trying to heal individuals with traumatic experiences.
However, I am here to tell you that we can heal our trauma by changing our behaviors and habits.
Yes. I am not joking. Further research is conducting on this topic and the results are mind-blowing.
The following items are practices I'm incorporating into my personal life, as recommended by renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Bessel Van Der Kolk.
Yoga: I know many of you will say something like, “I know yoga is healthy.” “Nothing is special about it.”
Again, I will say that don’t take it lightly. It may be normal for you but most of us don’ move our bodies. Think about a time, when you last moved your body to go for a walk.
Chances are many of you didn’t.
In healing trauma, yoga has a significant impact on individuals with traumatic memories.
Yoga allows your body to relax. By trying different poses and breathing exercises you can not only calm down your mind and body but also it can help permanently delete the images of those traumatic experiences from your brain.
I am trying it, and I am seeing quick results in my behavior. I will advise you to try this.
Revisiting the traumatic places with compassion: I know it would sound overwhelming for some of you but it’s crucial.
The longer you avoid visiting the traumatic places or people, the bigger your trauma will become over time.
Revisiting the same place where something adverse happened to you or meeting the same people who treated you adversely gives you strength and confidence. Knowing that yes, this gave me trauma, but I am very strong now and this can’t give me the same pain, ignites a different kind of resilience in your heart.
You can see the fear walking past you, but it doesn’t have the gut to even touch you or call you. Healing starts from here. Again, it is something I have done, and trust me, I feel like a queen.
Feel safe in your body and speak to yourself louder, “I can do it.”
Acting: I know it may sound ridiculous but as Bassel Van der Kolk has said in an interview they organize a Shakespearean play for victims dealing with trauma, it sounds exciting.
He says that when a person acts like some other person in a play or drama, it allows the brain of that person to leave the traumatic identity for a moment as the person immerses in his/her role.
Think like that you were ignored in your childhood and now you are allowed to act like a queen. Isn’t it exciting?
Yes, it may cause anxiety at first like it caused me. But it can help you set aside your traumatic identity and live in someone else’s shoes.
It will change your psychological brain and eventually changes may have been seen on the physical level.
It is something I haven’t tried yet, but I am planning to participate in the play at my university. Let’s do it together.
In conclusion, Trauma may be overwhelming but with proper care and changing habits, we can make it possible. Nothing can replace medical care although we are different. Sometimes some things don't work for us and sometimes specific things work. That's why don't stop trying.
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