To develop self-worth and wellbeing it can be useful to:
- Work on finding ways of showing yourself some gratitude and appreciating how you have managed the burden and suffering of your trauma history. Is there anything right now that you can thank yourself for, however small?
- Work on connecting with safe enough people. Giving back to others can help recovery. Is there anyone who you can do something small for today? For example, make them a cup of tea? Is there anyone who you can let know how important they are to you?
- If this was someone else would you be so judgemental? Hold in mind that the trauma was not your fault. Maybe what happened to you was illegal.
- Practice slow, gentle breathing as this helps bring feelings of wellbeing online.
- Collect evidence for your troubling thoughts about yourself and talk it over with someone you trust. Are there other ways of looking at this thought that may trouble you less?
- Notice and bring to mind positive memories. How does it feel when you think of these?
- Find ways of feeling good in you body, for example yoga, dancing, running, playing an instrument.
- Some images of safe people and places can be created in your mind’s eye (sometimes via loving kindness meditations) that can help to contain distress.
Video
Watch this meditation video for those who help others come to terms with their past.