How to Cope with PTSD and Live a Better Life
PTSD can have a myriad of negative effects on a person’s routine life. Your mental and physical health can decline. Your work and relationships can take a downward turn as well. But, learning to cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms can help you gain back control over your life.
Why Should You Practice Healthy Coping Strategies?
A major reason why you should address your PTSD symptoms is that they can lead to other complications. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse are a few of them. Research suggests that someone with PTSD has a 6 times higher chance of developing depression as compared to a non-PTSD person.
PTSD Coping Strategies
Communicating your troubling experiences and thoughts to people can be overwhelming. But, learning to socialize in a healthy way can help you alleviate your symptoms.
Find Support Groups
Fortunately, it’s quite easy to find a group of people that share the same experiences. There are many local and online communities that you can join to get community support. Connecting with the people that are or have gone through similar experiences can be very helpful for your recovery. You also get to know about new and effective treatment options. Plus, the feeling that you are not alone can be a great motivation booster.
Spend Time with People
People with PTSD commonly avoid the company of others. Feelings like fear, anger, frustration, and anxiety can make you stay isolated, which can work against the you. Spending some time with people that you feel comfortable with can help a lot or consider going for a walk, play a game, chat on the phone, share stories, or have a cup of tea with a loved one.
Mental Mindfulness
Taking out a few minutes to calm your mind can help alleviate the stress, overwhelm, and anxiety a PTSD patient feels. If you don’t feel comfortable concentrating for long periods, even a couple of minutes of quiet can help. You can then gradually add more minutes to your mindfulness exercise.
Exercise
Getting your body moving and having some fresh air outdoors can help you regulate your mood and feel better.
Studies suggest that exercise can help with stress, anxiety, and depression. A simple 10-minute walk can do the job effectively.
Here are some useful tips to make the most out of your exercising sessions:
- Find an enjoyable physical activity
- Start small and be consistent
- Listen to a podcast while exercising
- Go out with a friend
- Drink lots of fluids
Get Help from a Mental Health Counsellor in West Palm Beach / Lake Worth Area for PTSD
While you should keep on practicing the coping strategies, talking to a professional will speed up your recovery process. Talking to a counselor will help you have an effective long-term strategy for your PTSD. Just make sure to find someone with the right expertise and knowledge and keep consistent with your sessions.
