Childhood trauma has been found in over two-thirds of children. Trauma causes feelings, and if we don’t deal with them right away, they stick around in our bodies and minds.
The trauma persists in our bodies as energy in our unconscious, influencing our lives until we unearth it and process it rather than recovering from the traumatic experience.
Adult recovery from childhood trauma requires the normal flow and processing of uncomfortable emotions, including anger, sadness, humiliation, and fear.
The best but least common way to deal with emotional wounds from childhood is to recognize the violation the trauma has caused to our sense of self when it first happens, feels the natural emotions that follow, and then realize that the violation doesn’t say anything about us personally.
As a result, we don’t give it a negative meaning and can let it go.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #1 – Ground It
For this process to work, you must be present and in your body. Find a place that is calm so that you may begin there. Shut your eyes and take a few long, deep breaths, bringing awareness to every part of your body.
As you tighten and release your muscles, feel the weight in your arms. Permit yourself to experience a sense of earthiness. Think of a stream of energy that extends from the base of your spine all the way to the center of the earth. As soon as you feel grounded, move on to Step 2.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #2 – Recall It
Consider a recent incident that caused you angst. Look for something that made you feel mild to strongly emotionally or that would have made you feel you weren’t emotionally numb.
You should go through what happened in as much detail as you can before imagining yourself there. Utilize your senses to relive it all. As emotions begin to emerge, proceed to Step 3.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #3 – Sense It
Take a moment to sit quietly and relax while continuing to inhale deeply. After that, mentally scan your body for any emotions. Because of the way your emotions will churn and pop up inside of you, I refer to this process as “percolating.”
Watch out for any physical responses, like tingling, tightness, burning, etc. By comprehending each of these events, you could discover something about your past experiences.
Analyze these feelings and give yourself the most thorough description you can see in silence. Step 4 can follow after you’ve researched and reported your physical reactions.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #4 – Name It
Each of the feelings you experience should be paired with emotion. Do you feel any anxiety in your chest? Is the heat that rises up your arms the result of anger?
You might wish to print off this list of feelings on the bottom right side of the page before beginning this activity. It’s critical to understand the sometimes minor differences between seemingly identical feelings.
As a result, you will comprehend your experience and yourself more fully. Go to Step 5 after naming your sentiments.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #5 – Love It
As part of a deliberate plan for overcoming trauma, we must unreservedly welcome every emotion. Regardless of whether what you are experiencing right now is genuine to your conscious mind, say, “I love myself for feeling (angry, sad, scared, etc.).”
Do this with all of your feelings, especially the more difficult ones. Accept your humanity and love yourself anyhow. Step 6 can be followed once you’ve accepted and loved yourself for all of your feelings.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #6 – Feel & Experience It
As you sit with your feelings and the reactions they elicit, let them remain and flow. Just be conscious of them; don’t try to change or hide them.
Recognize and accept whatever discomfort you may be experiencing, knowing that it will pass quickly and aid your recovery. Allow your body to respond as it sees fit. You should feel sad if the impulse strikes.
If you want to yell anything, punch the air or shout into it. If you want your emotions to flow around inside of you and be fully processed, it’s critical to express them in a healthy way. Once you have fully noticed and experienced your sensations, move on to Step 7.
Ways To Heal From Childhood Trauma #7 – Receive Its Message & Wisdom
Do your current feelings or emotions remind you of any particular prior events? Do they offer insight into the trauma’s underlying cause or a false, self-limiting belief?
You could think, “I’m not receiving anything,” right now. Consider this question: “What would this feeling or emotion be trying to tell me?” Try some free writing if you’re still having issues. Spend 10 minutes without pausing, journaling on the meaning of the feeling.
Final Thought
Professional assistance is available in Soul Quest if you or a loved one might benefit from treatment for childhood trauma. Your path to recovery may start right now, and we’ll be by your side every step of the way.