Principles for Recovering from Trauma, Part 2

Read the previous part here.

“The following principles come from Firestone´s research on recovery from trauma, including the mechanisms of inherited trauma. Firestone is a Jungian analyst, rabbi, and the daughter of Holocaust survivors and she draws on the latest findings in neuroscience and psychology, that offer readers hope, understanding, and the means to discover how suffering can be transformative.

Below are common denominators that Firestone found in her research subjects who thrived again after their tragedies, having transformed their lives.

Disidentifying from victimhood
One of the main keys to trauma recovery is agency, the inner sense that we are in charge of our own lives, and we can shape outcomes.

Redefining specialness
One of the legacies of trauma can be the feeling that we are different, alone, and separate. But these feelings can flip into their opposites: feeling special, chosen, superior, for what we have gone through. One of the most important takeaways from trauma healing is that human beings are interdependent and that our healing depends on one another.

Taking action
Trauma recovery means facing what has happened directly and deeply mourning our losses. For each person, there is internal timing, some kind of work or meaningful action in the world emerges.

Holidays can be a particularly challenging time of year, especially for those who are raw from losses and traumatic upheaval. We are often bombarded by family or lack of family, outward cheer that doesn’t match our inner felt sense and so many distractions that pull us out of our own inner experience. Take alone time to feel your feelings, journal, take walks, move your energy to let off steam, and avoid excesses like sugar, alcohol, or recreational drugs that do not ground you. The main point: This is the time for doubling down on self-care. Stay in touch with yourself and lead with self-compassion.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Trauma #Healing #Recovery #MentalHealth

💬 How do you take care of yourself during the holiday season?