Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

3 Ways To Help You Manage Your PTSD

by Julia Gregory

Managing PTSD requires work with your doctor and on your own to help manage your symptoms and minimize the situations that trigger you. Here are a few additional tools you can use to help you manage your PTSD in addition to the suggestions that your doctor provides you with. 

#1 Schedule Daily Alone Time

Try to schedule a short period of time to be alone each day. This doesn't have to be a long time, it can be as little as fifteen minutes or as long as a couple of hours. It is important to take time to reconnect with yourself as an individual.

During this alone time, take time to connect with yourself. You may meditate or write in a journal. Perhaps you have a dance party or take a hot bath or read a book or watch your favorite movie.

The key is to spend that time doing something that you enjoy and that allows you to reconnect in a positive way with yourself. Part of managing your PTSD is treating yourself and taking care of your overall mental health, which a little alone time can help you accomplish. Some alone time doing activities you enjoy is also a great way to help you connect with you were before you experienced your trauma and is a great way to remind you that you can still be that person. 

#2 Find A Way To Create

Try to find a creative outlet that you enjoy. A creative outlet can provide you with a positive opportunity to connect with yourself and express yourself. A creative outlet will also help you relax and give you something to depend on when you need an outlet.

There are lots of ways to creatively express yourself. You could try any of the following activities: cooking, gardening, singing, dance, photography, coloring, painting, writing or collaging. These are only a few ideas. Don't limit yourself to a narrow definition of creativity. Find a way to be creative that you enjoy. 

#3 Have A Go To Person

Find someone who can be your go-to person. Have someone who you know you can call or text whenever you need to vent and talk to. This may be more than one person, but build up a small support network of individuals who understand that sometimes you just need to vent about your feelings and experience, even if it is early in the morning. 

Just knowing that you have someone to call who will be there for you can help you manage your stress and your PTSD. 


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About Me

Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.

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