Thousands of people in the US are affected by traumatic events each year, but what are they? A traumatic event is an incident that causes you emotional, physical, psychological, or spiritual harm. The person experiencing a traumatic event may even feel frightened or physically threatened as a result.
Many people who witness a traumatic event don’t know how to cope or respond afterward. They may even be in denial about how much they have been affected by the event. If you’ve been affected by a traumatic event, whether it be a shooting or a natural disaster, here are some of our top tips to help you cope:
- Seek Professional Help
The majority of people who witness a traumatic event suffer from stress. They often also feel fear, sadness, grief, and depression, thanks to what they have seen. If you’ve experienced any of these feelings and feel they are interfering with your normal life, it might be a good idea to speak to a mental health expert. They will be able to help you to process what you have seen and will be able to teach you ways to deal with your feelings.
- Face It
While most of us like to forget about bad times in our life, if you want to recover fully, you will need to face them head-on. Don’t try and ignore what has happened to you. Facing your fears and feelings will help you to move on with the rest of your life.
- Don’t Isolate Yourself
If you’re struggling after a traumatic event, you must reach out to your friends and family for support. While they may not have been through the same as you, they will be able to comfort and take care of you.
- Join a Support Group
Many amazing support groups are available to help people who have suffered a traumatic event. These groups allow you to talk to others who have had a similar experience. Not only will this help you make sense of what has happened to you, but it can also give you tips on how to deal with what’s happening.
- Contact a Lawyer
If you were injured during the event, then it might be a good idea to contact a lawyer. They will be able to tell you whether or not you are entitled to compensation for the trauma you have experienced. You may need this compensation to recover. For example, if you were injured during a mass shooting, you may need to take time off work to recover from any injuries you sustained. You can find out more about mass shootings and how a lawyer can help you at https://www.rblaw.net/practices-mass-shooting-lawyer.
- Exercise
Evidence has shown that one of the best ways to cope with a traumatic event is to get out and exercise. Gentle stretching, deep breathing, and walking are all brilliant choices. However, if you want to challenge yourself a bit more, don’t hesitate.
- Get Plenty of Rest
While exercise can help you to cope with trauma, it’s also vital that you get plenty of rest. This will allow your body to recover and give your brain time to process what you have been through.
Many people struggle to know how to cope after they’ve witnessed a traumatic event. The good news is that there are many things you can do to get through this challenging period. If you’ve seen or been involved in a traumatic event, why not try out some of our suggestions above?
