Summary

The article discusses the significance of language in recovering from trauma, emphasizing that positive self-talk can be a foundational tool in the healing process.

Abstract

The content of the website underscores the impact of trauma on an individual's mental and emotional state, defining trauma as any event that overwhelms one's system. It highlights the variability in how people experience and cope with trauma, noting that our capacity to handle stress can be influenced by current life circumstances. The article suggests that while trauma can rewire the nervous system, making self-management challenging, the intentional use of language can be a powerful starting point for healing. Positive affirmations and self-talk are presented as methods to begin the recovery journey, with the understanding that while these practices are not a panacea, they can help build momentum towards healing. The author encourages readers to embrace the control they have over their thoughts and to practice positive self-talk as a way to direct their brain towards more positive outcomes, acknowledging that while perfection is not attainable, the practice itself is beneficial.

Opinions

The author believes in the power of words to shape one's emotional reality and to influence the healing process from trauma.
It is suggested that each person's capacity to handle stress is unique and can fluctuate over time, which affects how they process traumatic events.
The article conveys the idea that trauma can significantly alter one's nervous system, necessitating a gentle and gradual approach to recovery.
Positive self-talk is advocated as an accessible and effective initial step in trauma recovery, with the potential to lead to more significant changes over time.
The author emphasizes that while positive language is beneficial, it is not a cure-all and should be seen as part of a broader healing strategy.
There is an encouragement to view the brain as a tool that can be directed through language to promote well-being and happiness.
The importance of practice and persistence in developing positive self-talk habits is highlighted, with an acknowledgment that it may initially feel unnatural.

The Importance Of Language In Trauma Recovery

Words have power. What we say is like a spell we are conjuring for ourselves.

We create our world with words, thoughts and actions. Photo by Aditya Saxena on Unsplash

Some use prayer, some manifest thoughts. However you do it, do it in a way that promotes the future you want to be living.

There are different types of trauma we can go through.

Often, it’s physical like a car accident, sports, or surgery. And other times it’s psychological, like emotional abuse or bullying.

No matter the cause, we are hurt somehow.

Sometimes we know it immediately and other times we don’t. Our minds are great at creating false narratives and convincing us things are OK, even when they aren’t.

What is Trauma?

In short, trauma is anything that overwhelms your system.

This is why labeling something traumatic can be so tricky. Each person has a different capacity to handle things. And that capacity changes depending on what stresses are going on at the moment.

Let me give an example:

I am crossing the street and all of a sudden a car comes racing down the road and nearly hits me, but I am able to speed up and get out of the way quickly enough . It’s very stressful but I can slow my heart rate and get back to normal within a few minutes.

At the moment my leg feels good. It is not something I’m thinking about and it causes me no stress, but let’s imagine I had a broken leg instead.

What would happen to me in that moment? More than likely I would begin to frantically trying to speed up in an already injured state. I would have a more difficult time and would have an increased fear for my life.

The broken leg made all the difference in what I was able to tolerate. My capacity for stress was already lower because my injury was already occupying some of that space.

In that second circumstance I may need more time to calm down. My heart rate could get higher and stay higher for longer. I could space out and stop feeling my emotions and “shut down”.

The second one would qualify as something that caused me trauma.

What Does That Have to Do With Language?

We create the world around us. Not like God. More, in the emotional sense.

Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are ours to control and can influence how our day goes.

But when we have a history or current state of trauma, it can be difficult to manage those things. And telling ourselves over and over again to *just do it.* Or *stop thinking this way.* is a losing battle. Trauma rewires your entire nervous system. You need somewhere to begin the process of healing.

Sometimes the best way to begin healing from trauma is through the simple use of words.

It’s not the way to complete healing, but it can get you started so you can build momentum and keep going.

There’s power in the things we tell ourselves. If we say “Welcome to the shit show!” Then we’re inviting the aspect of this being a big mess into the equation.

If you say that “Today is going to be a good day”, then it has a better chance than if you say it’s going to be a terrible one.

It’s setting up the scene. Prepping for success versus failure.

Think about a time you were hard on yourself. What did you say in your head? Was it nice? Did it hurt? Did it help you feel better or do better?

Usually the things we say to ourselves after we’ve been hard on ourselves is what motivates us.

Those thoughts of “Ok now. I just failed but now I gotta get back to it…”

Those are the ones that get us going again. The more positive ones.

So what does this mean for motivating myself with words?

It means you get to control what goes on in your brain.

Isn’t that wonderful? You. Have. All. The. Control.

Your brain is a beautiful thing. It does a great job of keeping you alive. That’s all it’s concerned with. You are the master of it. It will do what you tell it to do.

If you tell it that it is doing great and you want it to pump out some happy chemicals or see all the colors in the room around or smell the smells then it will want to comply.

Of course there are some things beyond your control. If you’re color blind you can’t make it see them all of a sudden… But you get the drift.

It won’t work perfectly at first

Actually it won’t work perfectly ever.

There are things that are not in our control outside of us that can throw us for a loop. Like a child sneezing in our direction giving us the cold. Or a storm knocking down a power line cutting off the internet.

That is always another chance to work on positive self talk.

It’s all about the practice.

The first time it will feel contrived and weird. Give it time. Like using the opposite hand to write, it’s not an impossible task. It’s just not used to being used.

If you need help with setting goals and teaching yourself how to use language to start your recovery, journey reach out to me at [email protected] or visit me at www.cpresleycoaching.com.

Good luck and let me know how your positive self talk is going.