Self-Care Is the Best Choice After a Trauma

Self-Care Is the Best Choice After a Trauma

Dr. Linda Hancock

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hancock has written a regular weekly column entitled “All Psyched Up” for newspapers in two Canadian provinces for more than a dozen years. Over the years, her readers and clients have said that they have benefited from her common-sense solutions, wisdom, and sense of humour. Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com

Published

February 15 2011

There are two important keys to consider when you have had a loss or traumatic event, namely, have there been significant changes in my life because of this (sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, not participating in activities that I used to enjoy) and, are there vulnerable areas of my life that have gotten worse since this occurred (substance abuse, relationship problems, work issues).

20 THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS IN A HEALTHY MANNER

1. Give yourself time and permission to grieve.

2. Ask questions to gain information that will help you to make sense out of things.

3. Eat on a regular basis - even if it is smaller quantities of nutritious foods.

4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day - measure out the day's allotment in the morning.

5. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.

6. Rest - even if you cannot go to sleep right away.

7. Make sure your self-talk is about what you want - not what you don't want.

8. Attend as many of your scheduled activities as possible - don't isolate yourself.

9. Take care and be safe. Focus on what you are doing.

10. Plan some fun things to do with people who love you.

11. Make sure that you have your regular medical and dental checkups.

12. Be honest with your supervisor, boss and partner if you feel you cannot cope - hiding things won't work anyway.

13. Schedule some time alone. Being lost in too many activities will not lead to resolution.

14. Let go of any past issues that you cannot change.

15. Remember your priorities (family, work, etc.)

16. Avoid making any major life changes.

17. Allow others to deal with this in their own way unless they seriously need help.

18. Give thanks.

19. Talk about what is bothering you - keeping it inside will fester or cause a blow one day.

20. Access resources (Use your Employee Assistance Plan, private insurance or company personnel to help you find and a competent therapist).

Trauma can disrupt your life for a period of time, but it is your responsibility to make sure that you have taken care of yourself so that it cannot become a life-long curse. Sometimes it is the "simple" things that are done repeatedly that actually bring good health. Respect and practice the items of the above-mentioned list so that you will be able to enjoy many, many years ahead without being trapped into a situation that you cannot change.