Daily habits that help us to feel safe and experience joy again, gently rewiring our brain for happiness beyond trauma and struggle.
This list is quite simplified and definitely not exhaustive. There are so many things that could be added. Take from it anything you feel may help, and reach out if you’re in need of support.
1. Ground yourself every morning. Remind yourself you’re safe now and no longer need to brace for danger. Observe the little things each day that make you smile.
2. Feed your body in a way that helps you thrive. You deserve to give your body the best chance at health. Looking after yourself physically will affect you positively from the outside in.
3. Learn to listen to how you feel and practice self acceptance. You don’t need to take action or judge yourself in any way – just listen and accept – the same way you would for a friend.
4. Be active. Exercise keeps you present and adds to the well-being element. Choose movement you love. Team this with being in nature and you have yourself a bonus boost.
5. Avoid people and places that drain you. This can include parts of social media, people who don’t value you, and even watching the news. Our nervous systems aren’t created to continually absorb doom, gloom, criticism and negativity. Notice how things (and people) make you feel, and go from there.
6. Create positive routines you can control and count on. Empowerment comes from being able to control and choose things that are meaningful to us. This can be expanded on in steps and when we’re ready. It also reiterates a feeling of safety.
7. Maintain boundaries without the misapplied guilt. A simple ‘No,’ is always enough, without needing to justify. Self care is not selfish – it’s essential. You don’t ever need to apologise for protecting your peace. Honor the space you need.
8. Do something every day that brings you joy. Not because it’s productive or ‘useful.’ Joy is essential, not merely optional. It isn’t a luxury – it’s an important part of healing. If you struggle to feel joy, do these things anyway. Our brains sometimes need to re-learn and rewire, and our persistence is worth it.
9. Observe your self talk and make sure it’s serving you instead of cutting you down. Again, support yourself the way you would a good friend. No one will ever spend as much time with you as you spend with yourself. This one can take some time but again is worth the effort. Inner critics have a lot to answer for and can be silenced or re-programmed to work for us instead of against us.
10. Create meaningful connections with others. Even baby steps can help. Compliment strangers… join a group or two… hang out with someone who values and uplifts you. Connections bring us back into the world in ways that feel good and safe, on our terms.
Healing is a worthy journey and is always a choice.
Please reach out if you’d like some support on your journey – it isn’t always easy and you don’t have to go it alone.
You’re never broken. You’re simply healing towards the life you deserve.
– Melody ❤