Do you struggle from the effects of a traumatic experience in your life? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can have an impact on anyone who has been through trauma. However, trauma and PTSD do not have to rule your day-to-day life. By taking some practical steps, you can help yourself cope with the effects of the condition.
Talk to Someone About Your Trauma and PTSD
Don’t let your feelings and emotions stay locked up inside. Talking to someone about your trauma and PTSD can be helpful for getting the anxiety off your chest. Is there a friend or family member in your daily life that you can talk to when you are struggling? Consider joining a support group that meets in your area to receive additional help.
Relax in Order to Cope with Trauma and PTSD
Try to incorporate into your daily routine activities that promote relaxation. Try some ideas from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):
- Get plenty of sleep each night.
- Stay positive and have a sense of humor.
- Become active in your community; try advocacy or volunteer work.
- Eat nutritious, healthy meals.
- Exercise each day.
- When experiencing anxiety, slowly count to ten.
- Accept what is, and what is not, within your control.
There may be other activities you like to do that can help you to relax. However, do be careful to avoid alcohol or drug use as coping mechanisms. They can actually make your PTSD symptoms worse and have a negative effect on your brain.
Stay Healthy to Cope with Trauma and PTSD
The experience of a trauma and PTSD can be overwhelming, and may cause you to forget to take care of yourself. Keep in mind, that in order for you to recover from trauma and the resulting PSTD, you must take care of the whole person. The following healthy practices can have a positive impact on the mind as well:
- Relax and get enough rest.
- Eat whole, fresh foods.
- Avoid eating an excessive amount of sugar.
- Don’t start smoking, and if you do smoke, quit.
- Exercise, stretch, breathe.
- Avoid drinking excessive amounts of caffeine.
Be Creative to Cope with Trauma and PTSD
Consider expressing yourself creatively as a way to cope with your trauma and PTSD. Whether your medium is paint, music, drawing, or writing, harness your creative talents to help you process and work through your trauma.
Use Apps to Cope with Trauma and PTSD
Yes, there are apps available that provide resources for those who have PTSD. For example, The National Center for PTSD, which is run by the Veterans Administration, lists apps on its website that offer help on topics such as:
- Parenting
- Quitting smoking
- Concussions
- Mindfulness
- Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Spend Time with a Pet to Cope with Trauma and PTSD
The Veterans Administration recommends spending time with a dog as another way to cope with PTSD. There are service dogs that are specifically trained to work with people who have PTSD, but even the regular family pet can be helpful. Dogs are loyal companions who can be fun to spend time with and tend to bring out the best in us. They are also an enjoyable way for you to get outside, as you’ll need to spend time outdoors routinely to take care of a dog’s daily needs.
Experiencing trauma and PTSD can be difficult, especially if the symptoms are felt on a daily basis. However, by taking some practical steps, you can cope with your trauma and PTSD in a positive way and find healing as well.
"Igor is well trained in cutting-edge, research-based therapies. With his compassionate heart and presence, Igor is gifted at helping clients find resources to face even the most difficult challenges and develop healthier cognitive patterns and behaviors. Clients love Igor's warmth, openness and innovation." Tasha Medley MA, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, RPT -- Psychotherapist, Boulder, CO
"Igor Giusti is a profoundly gifted healer and spiritual guide. His deep knowledge of different styles of therapy is balanced by an equally deep knowledge of spiritual practice and literature. He really does practice what he teaches - integrating the mind, heart, and body together in a life dedicated to spiritual realization. He has studied extensively and done lengthy retreats. I know personally from working with him and observing him that his clinical perception is extremely precise and his responses very accurate and effective. He has clarity and intelligence, is heartful, caring, and also dedicated, strong, and incisive when needed. I can't think of a better guide in the process of getting
to know one's inner nature and bringing it into the world." Josh Medley MA, NCC, LPC -- Psychotherapist, Boulder, CO
"Igor is, first and foremost, a fine, sensitive human being, with a heightened self-awareness as well as a deep sense of compassion for other people. There is also a deep inner quiet about him, perhaps developed in his meditation practice. In addition to these aspects of emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, and presence, he has a fine sense of humor." Deepesh Faucheux -- Adjunct Professor and Psychotherapist, Boulder, CO
"Igor’s greatest gifts are his somatic intelligence and compassionate heart. He is surprisingly attuned to the inner realm of sensations and feelings. He relates to the world from a spiritual and somatic felt sense, rather than from his mind alone. This makes him highly capable in guiding clients to become more embodied, in touch with their feelings, and grounded in their spiritual experiences while living in the world." Les McAllan PhD -- Retired Professor and Psychologist, Prescott AZ
Igor has a warm, open, and attentive presence. His warm listening capacity, keen curiosity, psychological depth, and insight are palpable. Igor is a transpersonally trained psychotherapist with group and individual experience, as well as a participant-explorer in other types of contemplative and psychological intra- and inter-personal work. He has great value for and emphasis on the body and his adept somatic awareness is evident by the way he can articulate—and help others get in touch with and articulate—bodily, emotional, and mental experiences. In general I would say Igor is a
grateful and joyful person. His affectionate and joyful nature make him desirable and delightful to be around. Jason Appt -- Assistant Professor and Psychotherapist, Boulder CO
