Living with PTS - Mindfulness and Meditation 🧘♂️ Practice Supports Self-Healing
Have you ever wondered what it’s like living with Post Traumatic Stress? Actually, I hope you never have to personally experience it.
Do you know anyone who lives with Post Traumatic Stress also known as PTSD? Perhaps a family member or a friend of yours lives with PTS. Do you know how to help someone when they are triggered?
I can tell you from personal experience exactly what it’s like living with post traumatic stress and how my meditation practice has helped me overcome trigger points over the years.
First, let’s dive into what Post Traumatic Stress is.
The information below is borrowed from The Mayo Clinic, specifically, this website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967#. The bold items indicate my personal account of post traumatic stress.
Causes
You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.
Doctors aren't sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:
* Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in your life
* Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
* Inherited features of your personality — often called your temperament
* The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress
Risk factors
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:
* Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
* Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
* Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders
* Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
* Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
* Lacking a good support system of family and friends
* Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression
The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:
* Combat exposure
* Childhood physical abuse
* Sexual violence
* Physical assault
* Being threatened with a weapon
* An accident
Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967#
Now we have some knowledge of post traumatic stress.
Terrific!
Horrific?
For many who live with PTS, absodamnlutely.
Through 30+ years of meditation and mindfulness practices I’ve been able to quiet the anxiety and long-term stress. And, there are moments when I can be triggered over something that seems so innocuous. That’s the lurkiness of this insidious dis-ease.
There are many sources of information about how meditation can heal trauma. Google that shit.
One website that I’ve found useful is Mindworks.org, specifically this page, https://mindworks.org/blog/healing-trauma-through-meditation/.
My practice begins every morning shortly after waking up. My wife and I listen to Jeff Warren on the Calm app which you can find on your app store. He has a nice style and easy-to-digest delivery of messages we listen to while we breathe. Typical sessions are 9-12 minutes in length.
Following that we both lead other spiritual rituals that support our lifestyle.
At night, just before sleep, I meditate again for 20-30 minutes with low ambient music playing in the background and throughout the night that deepens the sleep cycle.
Deep breathing is key to a meditation practice and during the day when stress can be amplified. Some people breathe to a specific time cycle: a count of 6 on the in breath and a count of 8 on the out breath. It’s the extra two (or three) counts/seconds that establishes a calming rhythm in the body and mind.
Try it now!
Close your eyes if that is comfortable or partially close your eyes and hold a soft gaze 4-5 feet in front of you.
Breathe in for a count of 6, hold your breath for a count of 3, exhale for a count of 8. Rinse and repeat.
Remember this when you’re in traffic and the idiot in front of you is too busy looking at their mobile phone to drive when the light turns green. Better than blasting them with an angry horn!
Unless you’re in NYC.
Remember, I’m originally from Brooklyn and I learned to drive with hand on the horn.
It was a metal rim attached to the steering wheel.
Google that shit!
At The Enlightened Squirrel Healing Arts Center we are opening our sessions with meditation practice to help people be in touch with what’s going on inside them. This leads to an awareness of one’s emotions and state of mind. Very revealing!
We are offering a free meditation practice guide. Click 'Yes, Send Me The Meditation Guide' and a new tab will open in your browser.
So simple.
In Gratitude.
Glenn
Disclaimer: our service or information isn’t a substitute for professional medical treatment. We make no guarantees or promises about the results of our program, or service.
If you have experienced trauma of any kind we recommend you work with a trained, licensed therapist or mental healthcare professional. Our services and offerings are not meant to treat, diagnose, heal, or cure any trauma, mental illness or physical illness or condition.
