Trauma can take on many forms. Incidents such as the death of a loved one, being held up at gun-point, sexual assault, can all take a toll on you mentally, physically and emotionally. Healing from trauma takes time, and although the pain may never completely go away, as time goes by, life will get better and your day-to-day activities will start to take on more aspects of normalcy. Telling yourself that is the first step towards healing. Here are 5 other tips to help you through the healing process.

1. Talk to your loved ones. Sharing your feelings with someone you are close to can be quite cathartic. Reach out for support when needed. Family and friends will be more than willing to help in any way that they can.
2. Keep a journal. Write in your journal whenever you feel anxious, frustrated, depressed or angry. Expressing your thoughts and feelings in an uncensored fashion can help relieve some of the pain you are experiencing.
3. Working out is another great way to release your pain. Not only does it help diminish stress, anxiety and depression, it can also help you feel good about yourself. When your body feels good, so do you. Find something you like to do. Take a dance class or join the gym. Yoga, which helps both the mind and body, is also a great way to assist you in working through feelings associated with trauma.
4. Focus on the positives. Whenever you feel overwhelmed from the pain, make a list of the good things that are happening in your life. All the positives you are experiencing can provide you with feelings of relief.
5. Seek professional help. If the emotional and mental pain from your trauma is causing impairment in your everyday life, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc., mental health counseling can be helpful. A therapist can provide you with the necessary tools to assist you in working through the emotions experienced with trauma.

Carrying on after a trauma may seem like a daunting task and things may get worse before they get better. The healing process won’t be easy, but remember, you have the power to heal yourself.  If you or a loved one is dealing with trauma, we can help. Contact us at (954) 832-3602. We are located in Hollywood, Florida.

Alicia Emamdee is the author of the YA Romance novel, “Aloha Self-Esteem?” which is created specifically for teen girls and the challenges they face with regards to their self-esteem in our society today. Written as a love story, the book provides ways to help increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence.