7 Ways You Can Move Forward and Reclaim Your Life After a Life-Changing Event  

October puts both breast cancer and domestic violence awareness efforts at the forefront of our minds. We talk a lot about prevention, but we also have the opportunity to focus on the deep impact these experiences can have on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being and the ways in which we can begin to recover. The best methods for managing stress and trauma vary from person to person, but there are strategies we all can use to care for our bodies and minds while we are on the path to healing. If you or someone you love is transitioning from cancer, domestic violence, or any other type of trauma, I invite you to try any of these recovery boosters.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
Sleep deprivation can impact your immune system, your cognitive abilities, and your endocrine system. Lack of quality sleep can also cause weight gain or weight loss and lead to depression. If your body is not given an opportunity to rest, your physical and mental healing may be compromised. Try going to bed at the same time every night to build a routine and ensure you get 7-9 hours of sleep.

Hydrate With Electrolytes
Our bodies are about 60% water. Water flushes out free radicals, bacteria, and viruses that impact our vital organs. Even mild dehydration can impact energy levels and lower the body’s ability to fight off illnesses like kidney and urinary tract infections. Drinking eight glasses of water a day—64 ounces total—will give your body what it needs to more easily fight off bacteria and viruses, maintain your energy and sodium levels, and keep your digestive system running smoothly. Electrolytes—also called ionic salts—create an electrical charge with certain minerals in the body when they connect with water, giving you organic energy. A body in recovery needs all of the energy it can get.

Eat More Protein
Our bodies do not store protein, so we have to consume it regularly to meet our cells’ needs. Our hair, skin cells, bones, cartilage, and blood are largely made of protein, and our large muscles and tissues are repaired by protein. Protein also creates hormones, enzymes, and important stabilizing chemicals. It’s recommended that you eat one gram of protein per pound of your desired body weight. Good sources of high-quality protein include chicken, salmon, almonds, oatmeal, and egg whites.

Heal With Superfoods
Superfoods naturally balance your hormones—the messengers of your endocrine system—which direct nutrient delivery to your cells. Optimizing endocrine functions will enhance communication between your brain, your nerves, and your organs, which is vital for healing. Superfoods are high in nutrients and low in calories and include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, coconut oil, cranberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, dandelion greens, egg whites, legumes, and almonds.

Move Your Body
Reconnect with your body through gentle movement. Yoga and meditation allow you to focus your thoughts on healing and pour love and gratitude back into your body and mind. When we experience trauma, we forget that our bodies are designed to move, and we lose our connection to the incredible things we are capable of. Slow deep breathing, moments of mindfulness, and intentional movement provide the opportunity to reset and appreciate ourselves.

Soak Up Kindness
Trauma can bring out many negative thoughts and emotions. Our bodies receive directions from our brains; if we are constantly putting ourselves down, our bodies will reflect that energy.  Surround yourself with positive voices. Identify verbal affirmations that resonate with you, then say them aloud and write them down in visible places. Read empowering books about people who have overcome difficult experiences and are now making a point to inspire others. Envision your own healing and reaffirm to yourself that you can shape a life of sustainable happiness.

Practice Gratitude
Recovering from life-altering trauma is not easy—not even close! One tool that helped in my own recovery from domestic violence was getting grounded in what was really important. Did I have all my limbs? Yes. Could I still use my eyes to see beauty? Yes. Could I still walk and enjoy the sunshine? Yes. Did I have friends and family who cared about me? Yes. Could I rebuild my life? Yes. Being grateful for the things I could do, things I might otherwise take for granted, kept me from focusing on the things I felt had been taken away from me. You might consider starting a gratitude journal so you can write down anything and everything that is positive in your life. By putting pen to paper, over time, you will find that the things you are grateful for outweigh the things that have brought you down.

We can choose how we recover. We can choose to be proactive in healing our bodies, minds, and spirits. We can choose to transform our lives, one small step at a time. No matter where you are on your path, take it day by day, try on what feels good for you, and reach out for connection and support along the way.