Trauma, a broken heart, rejection, all of these things can leave their mark. If we do nothing, these psychological injuries often remain. Eight tips for healing emotional wounds.
We all have experiences in our lives that cause us to suffer emotional wounds, both large and small. Even if the trigger lies in the past, such experiences can still hurt if they are not processed properly. That is why it is all the more important that we take care of our injuries and do not carry them around with us without thinking about them. If we do not take action, this can lead to us hurting ourselves and the people around us again and again – even if we do not want to.
Fortunately, emotional wounds can be healed, and mostly with your own hands. It can seem overwhelming, but you shouldn’t be discouraged. It’s worth it. And once you get started, it might be easier than you think.
Note: If you suspect a serious mental illness such as depression, you can of course also use these tips – but for a good and complete recovery it is also important to seek professional help early on.
Healing wounds for the soul: How it works
1. Start small
If you want to change something in your life, you can start with small things. Find realistic changes that will help you improve your mental health. These shouldn’t be too big, especially at the beginning, as emotional pain cannot be treated overnight.
2. Every step forward counts
Even if you may not be able to completely heal your emotional wound right away, you should recognize improvements as such. Even if you have only changed a small thing, it can ultimately have a positive impact on your life. For example, doing more exercise or social interactions are things that seem small but can change a lot in the long run. Praise yourself when you manage to find a more positive way of dealing with negative feelings.
3. Stay tuned
You have to realize that recovering your mental health after a setback is a big task. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be done, but it will most likely require strength and, above all, time. That’s why you shouldn’t rush or let yourself get demotivated if the process seems too long.
4. Set realistic goals
It is important not to become frustrated if you feel bad at times despite your best efforts. Don’t set your expectations too high, otherwise you will disappoint yourself and delay your healing process even further.
5. Learn from setbacks
We all make mistakes and experience failures. However, we shouldn’t let that stop us from pursuing our goals. Especially when it comes to emotions, it is inevitable and natural that your path will take you through highs and lows. That’s why you can try to make the best of difficult phases and see them as an opportunity to learn something.
6. Make yourself your highest priority
Healing emotionally can be exhausting for your mind and body. That’s why it’s important that you listen to yourself and pay attention to physical symptoms at the same time. Our body often shows us when we need to relax and when our capacities are exhausted. Take the time and rest you need if you feel stressed or tense, for example. It’s especially important during this phase that you take good care of yourself and don’t overdo it.
7. Feel safe
You should create an environment in which you feel emotionally safe. Especially when we have been hurt or disappointed, this can lead to a great distrust of our fellow human beings or our environment. Our mind wants to protect us from reliving the painful experience. However, it is more beneficial not to look for signs of emotional danger, but for safety. If you do not feel safe, you cannot heal emotionally. So ask yourself: What helps you and where do you feel comfortable? You can then try to integrate these things more into your life.
8. Ask for help and accept it
Focusing on yourself doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself from others. It’s important and helpful to ask other people for help when you feel like it. Ultimately, getting and accepting support from others is also a way to maintain your own emotional health. You should also always be aware that if you or your social circle are overwhelmed by your situation, professional help is a sensible option.
If you follow these tips, nothing will stand in the way of your healing!
Sources used: psychologytoday.com, psychcentral.com