7 Natural Ways To Heal Trauma

Written By Lewis Robinson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

In the aftermath of a traumatic event, it can feel as though the road to recovery is long and difficult. Though it does take a great deal of support, effort and care to rehabilitate your body and mind, the symptoms of trauma, intense as they may be at times, can be eased through a variety of gentle measures. 

When powerful medications or intensive medical therapies either are not available, not appropriate or simply not desired for your journey to recovery, practices such as these can work to heal your system and help you move forward in life. 

1. Massage Therapy

Trauma manifests in a variety of ways, from physical signs of strain to mental or emotional wounds. Research has shown that massage therapy that works on the soft tissues of your body can help you to experience less pain, tension, depression or anxiety whether you experienced a spinal cord injury or primarily emotional damage. 

Massage therapy also works to help patients feel more grounded and connected with their bodies, which can reduce dissociative symptoms and reduce trauma-related stress.

2. Gentle Exercise

Exercise is one of the most powerful forms of natural medicine for your body, but not all forms of physical activity are feasible or seem appealing during recovery. 

Because exercise is responsible for the release of feel-good chemicals such as endorphins, it’s a good idea to consider gentle forms of movement as part of your rehabilitation process. Walking, skating, dancing, biking, gardening or cleaning around the house can get your heart pumping and your mood elevated without placing too much pressure on your system. 

3. Diet

When your body’s fuel tanks are empty, it’s a lot harder to remain resilient and steady. This is true no matter what’s going on in life, but it’s especially important to mind your health and nutrition following a traumatic event.

Take care of your system by providing it with nourishing foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. As well, try to minimize or cut down on sugary, processed foods and mind-altering substances that may make it harder for you to do the work you need to do to heal.

4. Yoga

The practice of yoga is helpful for those who have experienced trauma because it encourages a mindful connection between your brain and body. Yoga is also beneficial because it is easily adaptable and can be modified for every age, fitness level and current abilities, and the emphasis on deep breathing helps to promote feelings of relaxation. 

If you can’t make it to a yoga studio, there are thousands of yoga videos available online that you can follow along with from home. 

5. Reiki

This Japanese practice is considered by many to be one of the most powerful forms of energy healing for your mind and body. Reiki treatments are simple, non-invasive and have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and feelings of suffering. 

For this treatment, a Reiki practitioner simply uses various hand placements on your body to manipulate and focus different energy fields that have been clinically shown to increase feelings of peace and wellness.

6. Meditation

Stress and overwhelm are common symptoms for those who have experienced an injury or shock to their system or way of life. Meditation, or the practice of being fully present with your thoughts and feelings, can help to train your awareness and establish a calmer, more relaxed headspace for you to navigate some of the tougher aspects of recovery. 

There are several forms of meditation, but many beginners find that a guided podcast, online video or structured meditation app are valuable tools to get started with when first diving into breathwork and mindfulness practices. 

7. Rest

Recovery is hard for many reasons. One of the best things you can do to encourage healing and progress is to take time to let yourself simply be. Clear your schedule, hand off any extra tasks to loved ones and take it easy while you heal. The more time and stillness you give to your mind and body to mend themselves, the quicker you’ll be back on your feet.

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Written By:

Lewis Robinson is a freelance writer and expert in health and fitness. When he isn’t writing he can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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