Living well after trauma

Living well after trauma means learning how to move forward while honouring what you have been through. It is how to refocus your mind on yourself and looking after your mind, body and soul.

In this digital age where everybody is showing their lives on social media, it is easy to start comparing yourself to others, but remember you only see a snippet of their day to day, no ones life is perfect and you should never compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique!

Healing from trauma doesn’t erase the experience you had, but it puts it in the past and gets you thinking about the hear and now whilst not getting overwhelmed by the future.

So how do we start to refocus our minds on ourselves?

Small daily habits matter

Living well after trauma often begins with gentle routines that support your nervous system. Loving and concentrating on yourself starts with small habits that you can include in your day to day life

This might include:

• Regular meals and rest- sounds obvious and you may think you do this already,, but make time for each meal. Don’t just grab breakfast on the go. Actually doing the process of buying fresh ingredients and making something from scratch forms a sense of achievement in your mind. Or pick your favourite place to eat once a week/month and go there with friends, family, work colleagues, your dog or just YOU!
• Gentle movement or time outside- you don’t need to make a 5 day workout plan to do this. Taking regular daily walks (even for 10 minutes) gets you out in the fresh air and nature. Really notice the beautiful things around you, the trees, the birds singing and remind yourself of how lovely life can be when made simple. If you have something you love to do like Yoga or stretching then make time in your day to practise this and feel the tension relax in your body. If the gym is your thing then look round for the right one.
• Creative or calming activities- having something other than work and family commitments to fully be yourself and clear your mind is a must. Take a class on a subject you love, learn a new skill, volunteer at a charity or community event, or try something you have never done before. Anything that you love and which creates a sense of achievement can refocus your mind.

Learn more on goal setting with my blog- How to set goals you will stick to

Allow room for progress

Healing is rarely a straight line.

Some days will feel lighter, others heavier. Some days life just gets in the way. It is not about being perfect everyday, but filtering these things in slowly can set the right habits.

If you find that your triggers come back, it does not mean you are failing. A reset is all that is needed. If you always start with self-love then you can build again from there.

Living well after trauma is about showing yourself compassion and patience. With time, support, and care, life can feel meaningful and hopeful again.

Learn more on healing from trauma in my podcast series- “Don’t Get a Therapist Yet”