Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that requires those who struggle with it to find ways to cope. PTSD can occur due to a variety of situations, and finding ways to live with the condition helps you move on with your life while still effectively dealing with past trauma. Here are some proven methods for those who suffer from PTSD.
Exercise
An American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds, and this is one reason so many people suffer from PTSD. The condition can be brought on by childhood trauma, sexual abuse, or war. No matter why you suffer from PTSD, exercise can help. Exercise is great for physical fitness, but the benefits to emotional health are what keep many people lifting weights or jogging. Exercise is shown to help those who suffer from PTSD experience less severe symptoms the same way exercise helps with anxiety and depression. It can be hard to get into the world and exercise if you are dealing with trauma, but the benefits are real, and you may actually find that exercising gets much easier as you start to feel better.
Mindfulness Meditation
After experiencing trauma, you may not be aware of how your thoughts are racing. Negative self-talk, avoidance, and self-blame are all very common responses to trauma, but they do not help the situation. In fact, they can make you feel worse. Mindfulness meditation helps you focus without getting too attached to your thoughts. It allows you to be mindful of your body, but it also allows distance and helps you notice patterns in your thoughts that may need to be changed. Mindfulness meditation also creates a place of non-judgment. It teaches awareness and how to be in the present moment. This is very beneficial for those who find themselves flashing back to past trauma and don’t know how to stop. Simply find a quiet place, sit and focus on your breathing. Your thoughts will drift, but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You will learn to let thoughts go as you focus on being truly in the moment. This can reduce anxiety and is a tool you can use anytime you feel yourself getting upset.
Having an Emotional Support Animal
Emotional support animals are incredible for people who struggle with PTSD. These animals can often sense symptoms and will help lead you to a safe place if you are about to suffer from an anxiety attack. Sometimes the simple presence of an emotional support animal is enough to alleviate symptoms in those who struggle with PTSD. Emotional support animals are loving and can help a person dealing with PTSD to connect and attach. This is essential to the healing process. Besides decreasing feelings of anxiety, emotional support animals can help you feel less lonely.
There are effective methods for coping with PTSD. Each person has to find the approach that works, but know that options for relief are available. You also need to know that there are people that want to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Here’s another article you might find helpful: 3 Activities to Do to Manage Negative Emotions