“Resilience is the extent to which we can bounce back from adverse events, cope with stress, or succeed in the face of adversity,” says Dr. Cindy Bergeman, a psychology professor at the University of Notre Dame, in an article on resilience from the National Institute of Health (NIH). A key factor in surviving trauma is your ability to “bounce back,” which may seem impossible. However, as Audrey Hepburn explained, “the very word ‘impossible’ says I’m possible.”
Your trauma does not have to dictate your life choices. Growth is possible with treatment and the development of a healthy lifestyle and coping skills. First, you must choose to live in possibility and act on your goals for a fulfilling life.
Choosing a Healthier Lifestyle
You coped with your trauma in the best way you knew how. You may have been forced to manage that horrible experience on your own and not have known how to care for yourself. You may have been struggling to survive, but now you can choose a healthier life and move from surviving to thriving.
Thriving is possible, but it takes effort and a mindful approach to life. You will also need to take care of your body by letting it move in a way that is positive for your well-being. You must also feed that body in a manner that will help you avoid emotionality and better cope with life stressors.
Incorporating Mindfulness Into Your Daily Life
Mindfulness is a buzzword in the current world of treatment. If you have been through treatment, you have likely engaged in practices of mindfulness. You learned how to be present and focus on your breathing. Now that you are on your own, you must continue those skills to ensure you are able to separate your traumatic experiences from your present experiences.
You are safe and have the capacity to be present in all circumstances. Practicing mindfulness regularly will help ensure your ability to maintain your sanity in an ever-stressful world full of possible triggers. At Guest House, we know mindfulness is key to overcoming trauma, which is why we offer a variety of treatment options to help you find a way to be mindful in all aspects of your life.
Regular Exercise Helps You Cope
Exercise can induce the physical reactions of a flashback and panic attack, which is why so many people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might avoid exercise. However, the avoidance of physical sensations makes you more vulnerable to stressors when they arise.
Learning desensitization from exposure to these physical responses through exercise, you can increase your ability to cope with other daily stressors and avoid panicking. You can learn and recognize these are physical symptoms of your body and do not necessarily indicate a lack of safety. Also, regular exercise helps your body maintain physical health, which makes you less reactive to stressors and/or triggers.
Choose Food That Is Good for You
Feeding your body with healthy food can ensure your success as you move beyond trauma and treatment. Avoiding sugar-induced highs can help you avoid reactivity to stressors. When you are eating a nutritious and balanced diet, your body is less likely to become stressed. Your emotional state will stabilize, and you will be more capable of balancing your goals and moving forward beyond trauma.
What Does Moving Forward Mean?
Moving forward means accepting yourself where you are and trusting in your ability to do difficult things.
Acceptance Is Critical
At Guest House, we recognize the difficulties of accepting your trauma and offer individualized support and treatment for wherever you are in your recovery journey. However, in order for you to move forward beyond trauma, you need to accept the trauma and yourself. You need to recognize that you are not alone and that you are not to blame for your trauma. Finally, you must believe you can move forward.
Believing You Can Do Hard Things
Many people who have experienced trauma have stopped believing in themselves. Their inner critic and the amount of self-loathing they experience might keep them from focusing on their goals and believing in themselves long enough to do the things they really desire to do, according to Pete Walker, author of Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving.
You must remember you are not defined by your past actions or the past actions of others, and you are capable of doing hard things.
You Are Capable: Start That New Chapter in Your Life
In an article titled “Resilience after trauma: from surviving to thriving,” authors explain that optimism is key to thriving after a traumatic event. Begin believing in your ability to do complicated things, and start that new chapter in your life.
Recognizing your ability to move beyond your traumatic experience allows you to function better in life after treatment. You can write a new chapter in your life and have the life you always wanted. At Guest House, we offer a variety of treatment options for different mental health conditions, and our programs are focused on helping you overcome the effects of trauma in your life. You can start living according to your values and goals. You are not alone when you leave treatment either. Our alumni program ensures you always receive the unconditional support you may need as you learn to balance life, health, and emotions after treatment. Do not hesitate to call and ask for help. You deserve to move beyond your trauma. Call us at Guest House at (855) 483-7800 and learn how we can help you move into your best life.