Healing Trauma

“No matter how self-assured we are, in a fraction of a second, our lives can be utterly devastated. We become hopelessly frozen by terror and helplessness.” ~ Peter Levine

My native state of Colorado has experienced an exorbitant amount of trauma this summer. First, the Fort Collins and Colorado Springs wild fires. Then the shooting of a Denver police officer at City Park’s Jazz Festival (my friends and I happened to be there that night). And now the horrific mass murder of numerous people in an Aurora movie theater.

Here are a couple “off the top of my head” Healthy Discoveries in response to the awful day we’re having in Colorado today.

I bought the book, Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga a couple months ago. The authors discuss how they use yoga to help trauma survivors.

 

Hala Khouri, a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma, is one of the teachers from the Off The Mat Into The World yoga training program. I had the privilege of participating in this training earlier this year. I think Hala is fabulous and I highly recommend her Yoga For Stress Reduction DVD

 

Peter A. Levine PhD is the go-to resource for trauma, chronic stress, PTSD, Somatic Therapy (releasing emotions from the body). If you haven’t heard of Peter or his work, I highly recommend you check out some of his books. He is a pioneer in the field of trauma psychology.

 

As I’ve written about before, I’m a fan of Bach Flowers. Especially “Star of Bethlehem” or “Rescue Remedy” in times of emotional shock, grief, fear and distress.

I recently stumbled across the Goodbye Worries CD and I love it! Truly one of the best guided meditation, hypnosis CDs I’ve ever tried.

Journal therapy and art therapy can be beneficial in healing emotional trauma as well. There are many books on these topics but here are a couple of my favorites:

With Pen In Hand: The Healing Power of Writing – Henriette Anne Klauser PhD

Writing To Heal: A Guided Journal For Recovering From Trauma & Emotional Upheaval – James Pennebaker PhD

The Art of Emotional Healing– Lucia Capacchione

 

Music is another way to calm the mind and body. Listen to classical, ambient, uplifting sounds such as:

The Sun Shines On Everyone

 

Other Useful Therapies To Consider:

EMDR (Rapid Eye Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) EFT For PTSD

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Healing Touch, Reiki, Massage, Reflexology

 

For me, going outside, getting direct sunlight and walking is grounding and calming; especially if my bare feet can come into direct contact with grass, dirt or sand.

Try to remember to stay hydrated with fresh, clean water. Eat whole food and get deep, restful sleep. Surround yourself with supportive, healthy friends and family.

Read inspirational words from people who have survived trauma and came out stronger and more courageous. One of my mentors, Rachel Remen M.D. writes great stories about terminally ill patients, such as My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging. There are often powerful insights in the things we can’t explain, understand or cure.

And finally, if you’re feeling like you want to do something in the face of all this tragedy but don’t know what to do – Give! Be of service.

Read Cami Walker’s story about her 29 Gifts: How A Month Of Giving Can Change Your Life  and how random acts of kindness helped heal and strengthen her.

We’re all in this together, I’m taking my above advice as much as I’m sharing it with you. It’s been a tough summer. Hang on. Take care of you, and find a moment or two of stillness today.