How To Begin Healing From Covid-Related Trauma

The toll of the pandemic years will not be effectively gauged by raw numbers like cases or even deaths. From economic devastation to the loss of much-needed social programs and beyond — the fallout is massive. One such area of concern is the collective mental health of, well… everyone. For starters, humans are not meant to be isolated. Then you have all the related stress spawned by the cultural divisions and political strife. It is not hyperbole to call this traumatic.

As we move forward into year three of the Covid era, how do we begin healing from the related trauma?

What is Trauma?

Everyone has to deal with potentially traumatic experiences in their lives. In some cases, they experience trauma and they must process that trauma. If it is not resolved, the outcome could be dangerous, long-term issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is most often associated with war zones or soldiers. However, trauma comes in many, many forms, e.g.

Loss of a loved one
Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Natural disaster
Illness, injury, or disability
Abandonment and neglect

You can also add “global pandemic” to that list.

It is a normal human response to experience fear, panic, and even hopelessness in the midst of a terrible event. Ideally, these feelings fade as the stressors fade. With PTSD, you get stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Your mind and body cannot discern real dangers from perceived threats. The resulting symptoms can be debilitating. These may include:

Nightmares
Intrusive memories and flashback
Avoiding anything or anyone that triggers memories of the traumatic event
You become easily startled and always feel on edge
Feelings like guilt, shame, fear, and sorrow
Angry outbursts
Reckless behavior
Self-harm

How To Begin Healing From Covid-Related Trauma

You do not require a diagnosis of PTSD to need healing. The events of the last two-plus years are enough to make anyone feel paralyzed, angry, and paranoid. Therefore, it makes a whole lot of sense to begin taking basic self-help steps like:

Staying Active

No one could blame you for planning to lay low and wait things out. But there is very little value in holding your life for ransom like this. Do not put off your joy to some hypothetical future. Take whatever steps you can take now to stay active. It may help stave off the worst impacts of trauma.

Leaning on Your Social Support System

More isolation is not a wise chocie. You need face-to-face contact. You need someone to confide in. Most importantly, you need social interactions. Without them, you can easily slide into a place of despair and loneliness. As you can see, the theme of all three of these tips is “be proactive.”

Taking Steps to Give Meaning to Your Life

Again, there will be a temptation to imagine a time in the future when you can get back to living a full, rich life. Spoiler alert: You can live a full, rich whenever you choose. To counterbalance the stress and potential trauma, you will need to do things that make your days feel more meaningful. Once you have broken the ice, you might find this is much easier than it sounds right now.

Getting Treatment for Your Trauma

If you are struggling with PTSD or any trauma-related issues, you will need much more than self-help. Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options available to you. Partnering with me is an opportunity to take the first steps toward inner growth and healing. Reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

Connect With Wayne