Mindfulness has become a trendy word. Please do not mistake that for a negative. The concept of staying present is a fundamental form of self-care. In the realm of mental health, it has countless benefits for serious practitioners. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to help people struggling with conditions and issues like:
Anxiety
Chronic pain
Depression
Addiction
Suicidal ideation
More recently, mindfulness is making a difference for those dealing with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since trauma is something that gets you stuck in the past, this approach makes a whole lot of sense. Let’s learn more:
What is Trauma?
Trauma is not an event. It is the emotional response to a horrific event, e.g.
Abandonment or neglect
Emotional, physical, sexual abuse
Natural disasters
Crime, war, terrorism
Illness or injury
Rape and sexual assault
Divorce, infidelity, separation
Loss of a loved one
Witnessing any of the above
Then again, trauma is what the person decides is traumatic. It’s not a ranking or competition. What matters is your response. If you are unable to process and act, you feel helpless or paralyzed. You feel stuck and traumatized.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, as the name implies, is a severe and dysfunctional response to trauma. In general, it presents with three broad types of symptoms:
Intrusive re-living of the event (flashbacks, nightmares, etc.)
Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the traumatic experience
Living in a state of extreme arousal and vigilance
These symptoms impair daily functioning and require help from a mental health professional.
How Mindfulness Can Help
Mindfulness is a state in which you are aware of yourself in the present moment. Thus, again, it’s easy to recognize how this is helpful for a condition that keeps you trapped in the past. Trauma cannot exist in the present. By bringing trauma victims into the present, mindfulness can facilitate healing. Research shows that mindfulness can also shift the thinking patterns of trauma victims. This helps reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of symptoms.
The essence of mindfulness is ghat it puts you in touch with “now.” You’re not dwelling on the past. You’re not dreading the future. People with PTSD often feel as they are on auto-pilot. Mindful awareness allows you to actively participate in your life.
3 More Ways Mindfulness Can Make a Difference
1. One Thing At a Time
One of the most precious gifts of a mindful life is attention. You’ll be able to focus on one thing at a time. That one thing can be something inside or outside of your body and mind. If your energy is aimed at this one thing, it is far less likely that intrusive thoughts can emerge.
2. Less Self-Judgment
People with PTSD often suffer from low self-esteem. Mindfulness — because it’s not about the past and future — enables you to live without judging yourself. There is no need to label your words, actions, or choices. This is also called self-compassion and it’s a big part of your journey to recovery.
3. Beginner’s Mind
Trauma is a trap. Mindfulness is liberation. When you’re in the present, you can be open to so many more possibilities. A beginner’s mind is not so quick to reject them. You release what you think you already know and become ready to learn. In order to heal, you’ll need this ability to visualize a different way of living.
How to Get Started
You can heal from trauma. Mindfulness will help and it can become a skill you use throughout your life. I’d love to introduce you to this path.
Please read more about life counseling. Let’s connect and talk soon about the many possibilities.
