Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can often feel like it takes over your entire life. No matter how long ago you experienced trauma, certain triggers can bring it right back to the forefront of your mind, making you feel like the event just happened all over again.

Depending on what you’ve been through, it might not be possible to completely avoid PTSD triggers.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to live with the effects of trauma forever. There are things you can do to cope with PTSD triggers and move forward on your healing journey. Let’s cover some of the most effective strategies on that path toward healing.

Identify Your Triggers

The first step in coping with your PTSD triggers is to truly identify what they are. It can help to keep a journal with you at all times. This makes it easy to track the things that trigger you and how you naturally respond.

Sometimes tracking triggers can make it easier to avoid them. Other times, when you know you’ll be facing one of those triggers, you can work on relaxation techniques that will help you cope. Walking into a trigger when you feel more prepared can make a big difference.

Be More Mindful

Mindfulness techniques can go a long way in helping you cope with PTSD triggers. They can keep you grounded in the present instead of allowing you to think about the past and what happened to you.

While mindfulness can take practice, things like deep breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization are all great ways to get started. Just a few minutes of mindfulness can help you get through the effects of a trigger.

Be Kind to Yourself

It’s not uncommon for trauma survivors to deal with guilt and shame, even when what happened to them wasn’t their fault. It’s important to show self-compassion and kindness as you try to manage your triggers and move forward on your healing path.

Use positive self-talk, challenge negative thoughts, and take care of your mind and body every day. Everything from exercising and eating healthy meals to journaling and meditating can help with self-compassion and allow you to see yourself in a more positive light. When you do that, you’ll feel more willing to move forward and identify yourself as something greater than your trauma.

Lean On Your Support System

You don’t have to go through the effects of trauma alone. Don’t be afraid to open up about your feelings to those closest to you. Talking about your triggers, in particular, can make them seem less scary and overwhelming. You’ll also know you have people in your corner who can help you cope with those triggers.

Your support network will work to build you up, especially when it feels like you aren’t able to cope. It might be tempting to shut people out. While setting boundaries is important, don’t eliminate the people from your life who are there to help you.

Talk to Someone

Having a support system is important. But, it’s not the same as talking to a mental health professional.

Again, many people with PTSD avoid working with a professional because they feel ashamed or unworthy. But, if triggers are negatively impacting your quality of life and you’re having trouble coping on your own, reaching out to a therapist is the best thing you can do.

Trauma counseling can offer effective coping strategies that you can use on a daily basis. All the while, you’ll learn more about the underlying cause of your trauma, and how to work through your emotions so you can not only manage PTSD triggers, but find true healing as you move into the next chapter of life. If you’re ready to start that journey, contact me today.