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Trauma is common. Many people experience and continue to experience trauma in their lives. Trauma is caused by events, circumstances or intergenerational historical traumatic experiences, often beyond our control. Trauma can have lasting adverse effects on a person’s or collective’s mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual wellbeing.
The effects of trauma can vary depending on the resources of individuals, whānau and communities, and on how people in support services work to make a difference.
Community trauma impacts people collectively. It can be caused by one-off events like natural disasters and pandemics. Community trauma can also manifest in ongoing adversities such as racism, poverty, economic instability and inequitable access to health, education and social support. How we respond to trauma can enable us to restore our wellbeing.
Change and trauma, whenever it comes, is inevitable in life. It can be due to death, health, job loss or a change in relationships. If we can have a proper perspective on our trauma and develop a positive attitude, we have power.
The most important resource in developing resilience is our mind. Just because you can’t plan for everything, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ready for some things.
Some tips on coping with trauma include allowing yourself to experience your feelings and acknowledging feeling this way is your right. Perspective sometimes needs partnership – the strength to ask others for help. Find someone you feel safe to talk with about your feelings. Allow yourself time to recover, be good to yourself and do things you enjoy, with people you enjoy. Remember, each person experiences trauma differently, try to be flexible.
When under stress, people may not react in a manner you would normally expect. Moderate your news intake and be mindful of how media reports affect you. While having information is useful, you may want to limit how much you may read, listen or watch news. Maintaining healthy eating, exercising and sleep routines are beneficial too.
Our brain finds it physiologically easier to be negative, so taking the time to develop a daily habit of expressing gratitude and appreciation, even in challenging times, is a useful tool to developing resilience. People who take the time to list the things they are grateful for on a regular basis are often happier and healthier. It’s like reprogramming the negative talk in our heads and filling it with positive thoughts about ourselves. Like any muscle, the brain becomes stronger with practice and use of this practice. Focusing on the “now” and not giving into what “may be” is also helpful to developing resilience.
As a community we are all experiencing change and trauma of some degree during extended lockdowns, or changes in our circumstances. Asking for support during these times is an act of self-care to enable hope and resilience. Remember to take life one step at a time. Carl Jung said: “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
Colleen Julian – Family support worker
