Healing Isn’t Linear. Be gentle with yourself.
I recently started EMDR therapy for PTSD and trauma. It’s been… amazing, and sad, and a whirlwind. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world, because my body and brain are healing. Finally✨ (I wish I could italicize this), healing. But it isn’t all good days. For anyone out there on a healing journey, be gentle with yourself. Here are some tips I’ve been given, by an amazing progressional (I am not one.)
1. Journal. Write all the crap out that’s making you feel bad until there’s none left. Just write and write and don’t have a prompt, just let your mind flow. Stop only when you feel done. This has helped me countless times.
2. Stay hydrated. I was very much in the group of people who just didn’t care if I was hydrated and drank water when I had a headache. But it admittedly, makes you feel so much better, and gives you much more energy.
3. Move. Your. Body. I’m not saying go run a marathon, but I am saying stretch. Learn about yin yoga, one of my personal favorites. Go for a walk in nature.
4. Meditate. My personal favorites are Michael Seeley and The Honest Guys on Spotify. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes, there’s a guided meditation for almost every mood and day, and I can almost promise you’ll feel a bit better about you and/or your world after.
5. Take you time. If you’re a mom, make time for the things you like. Take a course online about your passions, pick up that book by your favorite author, go out with the girls, book a spa day, even just go to TJ Maxx alone. Breathe. You’re human. And there’s more to you than mom. You’re Bee, or Kelly, or Ashley, or Nikki. You’re still you even when you’re a mama.
Don’t beat yourself up on hard days. Applaud yourself for taking the journey at all. And give yourself extra love. You do, I promise, deserve it. 💗
#healing #healingaftertrauma #lemon8challenge #wellness #Lemon8Diary
Healing after trauma, especially PTSD, is a deeply personal and often non-linear process. Along with EMDR therapy, which helps in reprocessing traumatic memories, incorporating holistic self-care practices can significantly enhance recovery. Journaling, as suggested, allows for emotional release and clarity, while staying hydrated supports brain function and overall energy levels. Physical movement need not be intense; gentle stretching or practices like yin yoga can improve body awareness and decrease physical tension linked to trauma. Meditation apps like those by Michael Seeley and The Honest Guys offer guided sessions that ease anxiety and ground the mind, even if just for a few minutes a day. Taking time for personal interests and self-care activities—be it reading, socializing, or alone time at a favorite store—helps rebuild identity beyond trauma or parental roles. Remember, healing includes ups and downs. On challenging days, kindness towards oneself fosters resilience. Additionally, resources like trauma-informed support groups and nutrition focusing on anti-inflammatory foods can complement healing. Recognize that healing is a proud, ongoing journey deserving of patience and profound self-love. No matter where you are on the path, you are not alone, and every step taken is a testament to your strength and hope.