The overwhelming pace of life in the United States over the last few years has prompted a trend of mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. Our new dependency on technology and the digital overload we encounter on a daily basis means that many of us need to reduce our stress and create a calm and mindful state. Taking a bit of time to slow down and connect to your body can mind can help you create more balance and harmony in your health and state of mind. It can also help with overcoming trauma.
Despite the fact that most people have very little time to care for their mental health, talking about the topic or admitting that you struggle with your mental health is often seen in a negative light. We need to stop stigmatizing these issues, especially when you consider that 19% of adults suffer from a mental illness, and the definition of mental illness is simply “changes in thinking, emotion, or behavior”. We need to realize that everyone has some kind of challenge, whether that’s a mental illness or the lingering effects of experiences we’ve gone through in our lives.
People typically don’t want to confront their problems and choices, which can mean that the effects of trauma and mental illness go unchecked and create issues in everyday life. The good news? For those who are willing to give it a try, mindfulness can be part of the puzzle toward healing from trauma and PTSD. We can’t change the past, but we can take control of the future.
How Trauma Affects a Person’s Life
Trauma from the past, and particularly from childhood, shapes who we are as people. That trauma can affect our habits, behaviors, lifestyles, and relationships. People who are exposed to trauma as children are more likely to develop PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) when they experience trauma later. PTSD can have a negative impact on nearly every area of life, depending on the individual’s triggers. The good news is that we’re learning more every year about how to help people move past trauma and work through their PTSD. Mindfulness exercises are a good way to help center trauma victims in the current moment and eventually cope with PTSD more effectively.
The New Health Trend is a Mental Connection
Pharmaceuticals can help treat mental illness, but they’re not always the only or best answer. Creating better health patterns and encouraging behavior changes are also important for improving a person’s well-being and ability to cope with their trauma or illness long term. People who are willing to confront their PTSD or mental health can grow and evolve with the right resources, making lasting positive changes.
The body and mind have a remarkable ability to self-heal, but only if the person is willing to commit to transforming their mental, emotional, and physical habits and patterns. Recovery from addiction is a good example of this—people can only change for good when they’re really committed to confronting the problem and making real change.
Mindful Remedies for Trauma and PTSD
If you are struggling with a past trauma or PTSD, mindfulness can be a good way to get started on moving past these issues. There are many options for mindfulness practices, which can be done alone or in a group setting.
Yoga, meditation, emotional control, breathing exercises, journaling, and even just sitting with your thoughts are all great ways to slow down and work through problems. If you prefer a group setting, guided meditation or yoga are great options. Although it seems ironic that technology can help us be more mindful, robots are entering the healthcare space and can be used to assist patients through both physical and mental exercises. A framework of that kind can make getting started with mindfulness easier. And who knows what kind of assistive technology will be available in just a few years!
Quieting Your Mind for Better Health
We need an outlet that allows us to detach from the digital world and connect with the real world around us. Making that connection allows us to achieve better balance, reduce stress, and quiet anxious thoughts. Practices like yoga can help us fight back against the rising trends of trauma, PTSD, and difficulty with relationships, because they center us and help us work through problems we’re having.
Finding a mindful practice that works for you can enhance your health and improve your well-being. If you want to improve your life and get past the trauma that is holding you back or get off prescriptions, it’s worth giving mindfulness a try. It’s accessible, effective, and can help you lead a better life.