“Beyond the pain of the blues to the sky blue of unlimited possibilities!” – Dr. Maya Angelou
IMAGE CREDIT: JULIAN BIRCHMAN
Heal with Help
In order to heal you have to first understand what you are healing from. Trauma can occur on different levels. It can be personal – your own experience – or vicarious -being affected by what happened to others. Trauma can be intergenerational – the experiences in the lives of one person that influence how they raise, teach, and model to the next generations – or historical – a major event affecting a cultural group that creates wounds carried across generations. This can be a lot to process and not something you need to move through on your own. Support can be in the form of trusted adults, professionals, or friends. Being vulnerable with others can be cathartic. “Name it to tame it”, they say.
Heal through Play
Play disarms fear that trauma instills in us. Play communicates to the watch dog part of your brain that you are safe enough to turn your focus away from survival mode and towards other functions like learning, processing, healing, and growth. Play is important and can come in many forms. Write a poem, spit a verse, joke with friends, play soccer – anything that brings you joy. Play is also having novel experiences. Explore something new. Learn a new skill. Let go of “that’s not my thing” and expand your comfort zone.
Heal through Self-Awareness
Mindfulness practices can teach you to listen to yourself and create space between your thoughts and reactions. Mindfulness is a skill you develop just like throwing a spiral or playing a chord. They all take practice. There are many techniques to try out. It’s more about finding the one that’s right for you vs. finding the right one. To get you started try this out: Pick a time each day that you can set a timer for 3 minutes. Close your eyes, sit comfortably, and focus your attention on the sensations of air moving in and out of your nose. Your mind will wander and that is A-OK. Just come back to your breath when you notice your attention has strayed.
Heal through Unlearning
Commit to your unlearning. White Supremacy Culture (Google it!) This definition may be broader than you think and affects all of us. Being able to give a name to your experience is validating and allows you to speak up when you see patterns that perpetuate oppressive systems. Again, in order to heal you have to first understand what you are healing from.
Heal through Connection
Humans need connection – physically and emotionally. Our brain releases oxytocin when we hug, dap, make eye contact, and receive a smile. This reduces stress and promotes health and well-being. COVID has made us creative with the ways we stay socially close while being physically distant. Put your energy into people you have trust for and relationships that you feel safe in. Find ways to stay connected to your community, family, and friends. Make time to listen to your elders speak. Read or listen to stories told from Black perspectives. Connect with your history. Re-write the narratives of our history by reading accounts of the past written by BIPOC authors.
“Until the lions have their own historians the history of hunt will always glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb
– Article written by Brittney Marine, Senior BHIS Caseworker at Orchard Place
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