Most of us carry around some form of trauma. Be it the consequence of physical injury or a negative emotional experience, sometimes these events can stay with us for much longer than we want them to. And, in such cases, our health starts to suffer.

Of course, overcoming physical or psychological distress requires the help of a professional physician or therapist. But there's also quite a lot we can do to start our journey of healing. Unsurprisingly, self-love plays a significant role in that.

So, it doesn't matter if you're trying to overcome burnout, a difficult breakup, a life-altering medical diagnosis, or even the collective traumatic experience that was the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (and its never-ending lockdowns). Self-love can help you give yourself the best chance of achieving a state of wellbeing.

Recognize and Acknowledge Your Traumatic Experience

The first step towards letting yourself heal will always be the action of recognizing and acknowledging your traumatic experiences.

If you're feeling fearful or anxious, are in shock or denial, are experiencing guilt, the need to withdraw, or even feeling depressed, likely, your mind is unsuccessfully trying to deal with a traumatic experience. The physical symptoms of dealing with too much often include sleep deprivation, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, muscle tension, and inexplicable ailments (including a lowered immune response).

So, if you find yourself having to deal daily with any of these signs of traumatic experience (emotional or physical), the first step towards healing will be to recognize their roots.

Sometimes, if the traumatic event happened way back in the past (or if it has lasted for most of your life), you may need to seek out the help of a therapist. However, for most people, there will be a strong correlation between a recent event and the negative emotions you're experiencing.

Give Yourself Time and Space

The one thing to understand about trauma is that it often takes a lot of time (and work) to work through it. Even a seemingly insignificant event can cause long-term consequences.

For example, look at your physical wellbeing. You'll find that a minor injury, such as a sprained ankle, can cause months or even years of physical difficulties if it's not addressed immediately. And, the longer it's left without treatment, the worse it will get. The same goes for your emotional wellbeing as well.

But, what we have to understand is that scar tissue (physical or emotional) requires time if we are to turn it healthy again.

Therefore, if you're trying to heal through self-love, you must allow yourself both time and space to do so. Do not pressure yourself into speeding up the recovery process. Instead, accept that some healing journeys might take a long while. So, the best way to go about them is to take one step at a time, acknowledging even those seemingly minute wins.

Find the Right Healing Practices

Everyone's journey of healing is highly individual. What works for one person might not be effective for another – both when addressing emotional and physical health. For this reason, people who are prepared to take the road of improving their wellbeing through self-love must keep an open mind to a variety of methods.

For some, the simple act of eating healthy will kickstart the restorative process. Others will benefit from relaxation techniques, including meditation, breathwork, or yoga. Then, of course, there will be those who will require more hands-on remedies, including alternative therapies.

If you find yourself at a crossroads and don't know where to start your healing journey, the best thing you can do is see what appeals to you. If what you're interested in is taking control of your journey, you can start by exploring mindfulness. Sign up for a class in an activity you feel might help, or even experiment with writing poetry.

Reach Out for Help

However, if you feel like your problems are more than you can handle on your own, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to reach out for help.

A therapist, your physician, a natural healer, or even your best friend can all give you the support and advice you need in getting better. And sometimes, all it takes for us to start healing is to share our burdens without being afraid of being judged.

Some Final Thoughts

The fact is, all of us carry around our traumas and burdens – even the people whose lives seem absolutely perfect from the outside deal with their own demons. If you feel like your past experiences are holding you back from leading a healthy and happy life, it's high time that you address them and begin your journey of healing.

Self-love is an irreplaceable part of emotional and physical wellbeing. And not just that. Perhaps more importantly, it's a lifestyle philosophy that teaches us that we do matter. Even when our past suggests otherwise.

So don't be afraid of showing yourself some love. The worst thing that can happen is that you walk away feeling healthier and happier than you were before.

Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She’s been a freelance writer for over a decade and loves researching health and wellness topics.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Sarah Kaminski

Featured Image source

© 2021 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved. Do Not Copy.