Facing anything that has traumatized you or continues to stress you can have a deep impact on your emotions as well as your health. It is very important to acknowledge that our body and mind work together.
When emotions are affected, our body starts responding differently. It reflects in our sleep patterns, eating patterns and also weight loss. We feel more lethargic and are less enthusiastic to pursue our daily chores or even newer things in life.
At first, these could be the initial ways your body could be reacting to trauma. If you are exhausted more than often, anxious, sad or agitated. A traumatic experience could happen once or repeatedly and different people respond differently as each experiences an array of physical and emotional symptoms.
Please remember that there is no one way of dealing with trauma or coping with your trauma. It is okay to think, to feel and to respond the way you feel is right to your trauma.
Signs of Trauma on Your Physical Health :
Insomnia
The lack of ability to sleep in a regular pattern, insomnia is referred to as a common sleep disorder. Usually, those who are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a difficult time resting their minds and catching some sleep. This is largely also attributed to those who develop severe anxiety as a result of the trauma they have survived.
Emotional Disconnect or Extreme Sensitivity
Generally, these are the two most probable reactions when someone is coping with any emotional trauma. On one hand, either one builds walls around oneself and alienates oneself from society or even one’s circle of family and friends. This disconnect is owing to what the mind has been through, the lack of trust that ensues after or the lack of energy to be able to be around people which could be rather exhausting for a trauma survivor.
On the other hand, there are people who become extremely sensitive to the daily things in life. Either it results in crying on minor issues or breaking down or feeling a sense of helplessness. In either of these cases, every individual needs the support available from loved ones, if required medically as well and not be shunned for the same.
Fear Response
Your mind makes you respond in a fight or flight manner when you encounter any trigger that shows up associated with the trauma. These triggers could make your mind go numb or make your body feel frozen in one place, so to speak. The physical symptoms of these would include nausea, high sugar levels and blood pressure levels, rapid heartbeat, severe body chills and so on.
Body Aches and Tension
Those who survive trauma in any way often do not acknowledge the impact that tension could have on their body. Not only can one develop anxiety disorders, but the body goes through severe chronic pains including muscle tension, nerve damage and lack of stamina.
These are some if not most common symptoms which are seen affecting one’s physical health when trauma hits one’s life. Unfortunately, trauma includes having to face flashbacks that occur in one’s mind on a repeated cycle. This drives the trauma survivor towards habits and routines that could further result in deteriorating health.
Therefore, being cautious of this, if you are a trauma survivor or someone who knows a trauma survivor, certain little things can be incorporated to feel less burdened under the pressure of this trauma that could ease the ill effects on your body and mind.
Small Changes in lifestyle
It will look difficult but please make small adjustments in your lifestyle to feel a little better when you are completely held down by what you have faced. You can start by doing small things like, making your bed during the day, eating right, exercising, going out for a walk and anything in your daily routine that could help you acknowledge and move away from the pain.
Be a part of Joyful Activities
The most helpful initiative is to join a group of your choices like a book club, a support group or a yoga group that could surround you with happy, enthusiastic and healthy beings which would in turn encourage you to imbibe the same in your life.
Meditate and Read
It is true that there is plenty of literature out there but it is also true that a book can be a man’s best friend. Understand what you are going through and find a book that covers how to deal with it and how to cope with it. Books are a great way of understanding and practicing the art of being mindful. Meditation serves as a bonus when you are able to focus for those few minutes on nothing but yourself and your body in the present moment and what it brings to you.
Stress Management
Another very important part of dealing with trauma is working on reducing your stress levels. Prioritizing what causes you stress and battling it with proven techniques is necessary. You must focus on your overall well-being, on better health, developing your immune system, eating right, exercising well, etc. which would all contribute to a healthier and longer life.
Conclusion
Trauma, when ignored and left unacknowledged or untreated could have a severe impact on one’s mental and physical being. This could also lead to damaging one’s life on a rather permanent basis which forces the individual to sway from their actual being and actual potential. It also leads to unwarranted ailments and complications like diabetes, stroke, depression and substance abuse. Therefore, seeking help, seeking therapy is never something to be ashamed of. It is a sign of strength, a sign of courage that you are willing to get up and be out there once again and that too on a better stance.
