Hurt to Heal: Pluck the Roots of Trauma to Live a Better Life

Trauma can often feel like an unwelcome guest that overstays its welcome, lingering in the corners of our minds and lives. However, healing is not only possible, but it is also within reach.

In 2018, my mom’s passing shot me into a deep healing experience. One of the ways that I was able to grow through this season was by creating the Hurt to Heal Podcast. When I started the project, I had no idea that it was going to be my form of release and healing. If you listen in, you’ll hear the highs, the lows, the pain, and even growth. Everyone may not be in a place to create a podcast as a path to healing, so let’s look at some simple, yet powerful experiences that you can integrate into your daily life to assist you in your own healing journey.

Daily Activities for Healing

• Morning Meditation
  Start your day with a moment of calm. Spend a few minutes in meditation, focusing on your breath. Inhale deeply, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. This practice helps center your mind and prepares you to face the day with mindfulness. By staying in the present moment and also serving gratitude, this helps you reduce stress and most of all anxiety! If you saw Inside Out 2, you’ll know this movie was a prime example of how focus and ‘in the moment’ awareness can reduce stress and allow a flow of healing.
• Tap In With Nature
  I know we’re all busy, but one of the most healing things you can do is Earth grounding (or “earthing”), which involves connecting physically with the earth. Walk barefoot on grass, sand, or soil, allowing the natural energy to calm and stabilize your emotions. Hug a tree, talk to a tree especially if it is close to home. You will be surprised at the protection and abundance honoring a tree can provide you on this journey.

  If this is not possible then adopt a plant, talk to the plant, take care of it and show nature your willingness to be mindful of the gifts provided. One of the simplest plants I care for is a

  Snake Plant.  I have two that are so huge! I love them so much. I talk to them and care for them. The moment I incorporated them into my life, I stopped waking up with headaches. They have so many spiritual properties to them. I have several plants, but these are the ones I find the easiest to care for.

Navigating Triggers and Emotional Wellness

Being around people who trigger negative emotions can be challenging. However, it’s important to distinguish whether they are triggering you because they are acting maliciously and on purpose, or if you are triggered because you have isolated yourself so much that you have suppressed certain things that still need healing. Being around people, or certain individuals, may now be bringing out uncomfortable emotions. Either way, I incorporate these practices into my life to stay balanced.

• Set Boundaries
  Clearly communicate your “No’s” and needs to those around you. Setting boundaries protects your emotional health and allows you to navigate relationships more comfortably. If someone goes against those boundaries, then walk away! Constantly forgiving someone for crossing your boundaries teaches them how to treat you (and walk over you). Be firm and clear. Stand on business when placing boundaries—you disrespect yourself when you allow people to continue to disregard them.
• Practice Mindfulness
  When triggered, pause and breathe. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment and allow them to pass. Mindfulness prevents you from reacting out of heightened emotions and helps maintain peace. The new term “crash out” is at an all-time high, and people are fed up; they suppress so much that it often comes out in an aggressive manner. By centering yourself and validating your own emotions, you can regulate better than you might think. This helps in all situations by keeping you mindful of your emotions and actions.
• Cleansing Baths
  Take a cleansing bath by adding Epsom salts, sea salt, essential oils, or herbs to your bathwater. As you relax, visualize the water washing away negative energy, leaving you refreshed and at peace. My personal favorite recipe includes lavender, calendula, rue, and dried rose petals mixed with sea salt and Epsom salt. I soak for about 20 minutes, chanting over my body to remove any energy that does not serve me. As the water flows out of the tub, I tell it what to do as it leaves. This has been a practice of mine and my students (among other things) for years now—it’s simple and effective. Light a white candle and incense of your choice (I personally love sandalwood for this bath). With the elements surrounding you, embrace them and allow them to help clear your energy.

Healing Rituals with Moon Phases

• New Moon Rituals
  Begin new healing journeys and set intentions. Write down what you wish to heal or manifest, and meditate on these intentions. You can also incorporate a bath during the new moon. Light a silver candle and jasmine incense, then add Epsom salt, jasmine, hyssop, alfalfa, orange peel, and cinnamon essential oil to a warm bath (I like mine steaming hot—I need to see steam coming off my skin). Speak your desires to the water. Since the moon influences water, this is a perfect time to set intentions of abundance and success. You can also boil these herbs on the stove, steep them, and pour the infused water into your bath. Keep your energy flowing as you manifest your next six months.
• Full Moon Rituals
  Release what no longer serves you. Light a candle and write down the things you wish to let go of. You can burn the paper under the full moon as a symbolic release (please practice fire safety). This is another opportunity to take a cleansing bath and speak to the water to remove any energy that doesn’t align. If you need to release deeply rooted energies, you can add crushed black walnut shells, agrimony, and rue herbs to your bath. Speak to these herbs about what you wish to release—but be warned, this is a potent mix! If you truly need to clear some energy from your aura and space, these herbs can make it happen.

TAKE ACTION: Ready to embark on your healing journey? Book healing and spiritual guidance services with R.S. Cole and take the first step toward healing. Embrace the possibility of transformation and find peace within yourself. Contact me today, and start living a better life.