Grief & Trauma
Dealing with grief and trauma can feel overwhelming. You may wonder if you’ll ever get back to feeling like yourself. Grief and trauma are more than just an emotional experience – they also impact your body. Mind Matters can help you process grief and trauma so you can begin to move forward with your life.
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How to Recover from Grief
Unlike a physical wound, like a broken leg, recovery from grief doesn’t have a specific endpoint. It’s important to note that even when a physical condition heals, it may not look or feel the same as it did before; the same is true for grief. Here are a few things you can do to begin your grief recovery:
- Acknowledge your feelings. Ignoring the negative emotions you’re having won’t make them go away and can make them worse. Your brain is hardwired to return you to a balanced emotional state, and it will put up a fight to get there.
- Take care of yourself. Sleeping, eating a healthy diet, and physical activity are all ways to get on the road to recovery from grief.
- Be aware that grief is unpredictable. Strong emotions can occur unexpectedly, and there is no way to “snap out of it.”
- Don’t struggle through grief alone. Seek out support from friends, family, or support groups. It’s important not to withdraw from others socially because isolation can increase feelings of depression.
Myths About Grief
There are many myths and mistruths surrounding emotions, and grief is no exception. Inaccurate information can make it more difficult for you to process grief.
Myth #1: Everyone grieves in stages.
Grief doesn’t follow a set of rules or a pattern. It’s different for everyone.
Myth #2: Crying is a requirement for proper grieving.
People cry for various reasons, and not crying doesn’t mean you aren’t feeling grief. Part of the grieving process is feeling emotionally numb, and this can prevent you from crying.
Myth #3: Grief eventually ends.
Your feelings of grief may change from day to day, with some days being more challenging than others. However, there is no set finish line for grief.
How to Recover from Trauma
Dealing with trauma is uncomfortable, so it’s natural to wonder how long it will last. Recovery time depends on the severity of your traumatic experience, your age at the time, and what level of support you were given after.
- Remember that recovery is not a race or competition. You can’t rush the process. One hundred people who experience a traumatic experience will recover at one hundred different rates, so it’s critical that you not compare your recovery with someone else’s.
- Acknowledging the trauma is essential for recovery. Trauma-informed therapy is an excellent way to recognize what you’ve been through without re-traumatizing yourself.
- Get back into a daily routine. Familiarity makes us feel comfortable and safe, and this will help you feel less traumatized.
- Make time to do something fun or creative each day. Trauma often involves feelings of anxiety and guilt, and doing an activity you enjoy can distract you from these feelings and help to break this cycle.
Myths About Trauma
Myth #1: Only life-threatening situations cause trauma.
Any experience that threatens your mental or emotional health can be traumatic. An abusive relationship or the unexpected death of a loved one can be just as traumatic as a near-death occurrence.
Myth #2: Trauma has permanent adverse effects on your life.
Your brain is surprisingly flexible. It adapts to form trauma responses, and it can unlearn them, especially with the support of therapy.
Myth #3: You must forgive a person who harmed you to recover from trauma.
Forgiveness is not a prerequisite for healing. You can forgive someone if it makes you feel better, but you can also feel better by choosing not to offer forgiveness.
The Mind Matters Difference
Our team of therapists knows that your mind matters, and we can help you harness its power so you can live a happier, more balanced life. You’re more than just a client file to us; we don’t have a cookie-cutter approach to grief and trauma recovery. Mental health is vital for everyone, and our goal is to make treatment accessible and welcoming to anyone who needs it.
Therapy Near Lexington, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio
Recover from grief and trauma in the safe, caring environment of Mind Matters. Our experienced therapists will tailor a therapeutic program for you to promote healing. Contact Mind Matters today to schedule an appointment. We offer therapy services in Lexington, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding area.