Trauma and Its Influence on Daily Life

Laura is 25 years old and has been dealing with something she can’t fully explain. During her childhood, her parents treated her harshly, downplayed her achievements, and blamed her for mistakes that any child would have made.

Now, although he has grown up, those words and attitudes continue to affect him. She distrusts others, feels insecure in her decisions and, although she has achieved many things, she cannot help but question her own worth.

Laura is an example of how trauma does not remain in the past, but is still present in the way we live and perceive the world. That is why in the following lines we will talk about trauma and its influence on the daily lives of affected people.

What is and what is not trauma?

Trauma is not about a bad day or something difficult that happened at a specific moment. It is an experience that overwhelms us, makes us feel vulnerable, as if we were in danger or completely unprotected. If we could describe it in another way, it is an emotional imprint that stays with us and affects both the mind and the body.

Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” says trauma not only impacts what we think, but also how our brain functions. A traumatic event can change the functioning of key areas such as the amygdala, which manages fear, and the hippocampus, which organizes our memories. This can cause us to relive the trauma or react more intensely to situations that, for others, could be normal.

But, be careful! It is important to discern, because not everything that we find difficult to face can be called trauma. For example, arguing with someone, forgetting a task, or going through a difficult day do not have the same impact as experiences such as abuse, constant mistreatment, or a life-threatening event.

Furthermore, each person lives and processes things differently; So, what is traumatic for one may not have the same impact for others.

How trauma influences everyday life

Trauma does not remain stored at the moment it occurred, quite the opposite! It sneaks into our daily lives and affects how we relate, how we see ourselves and how we face everything from the simplest to the most complex decisions. Although it is often not noticeable to the naked eye, its effects are there, present in different areas of our lives.

For example, relationships with other people can become complicated. If someone was hurt or betrayed in the past, it is normal for them to be afraid to trust or open up. This can make relationships superficial or, on the other hand, make the person depend too much on those close to them to seek a security that they cannot feel inside.

It can also affect the way we look. Many people who have gone through trauma carry negative thoughts about themselves. like believing that they are not enough or that they do everything wrong. These thoughts do not come from nowhere; They usually come from the treatment they received in vulnerable moments.

Trauma not only affects the mind, it is also felt in the body. It often appears as constant tension, muscle pain, digestive problems or insomnia. This happens because the body remains in a state of alert, as if it were still facing danger, even though the threat has already passed.

Besides, Dealing with the aftermath of trauma can make simple tasks feel much more difficultfor example, making decisions or concentrating. It is not that the person is not capable, but that they are carrying something that others cannot always see.

At the brain level, trauma also leaves its mark. The amygdala, responsible for managing emotions related to fear, begins to activate excessively, while the hippocampus, responsible for organizing memories, does not operate properly. This can make emotions feel out of control or make it difficult to organize your thoughts.

All of this explains why trauma has such an impact on our daily lives, but it also shows us the importance of understanding it in order to begin to heal.

How to reduce the impact of trauma in everyday life

Although living with trauma can be overwhelming, there are ways to ease its effect. And, very important to remember this!: it is not about forgetting what happened, but about learning to manage it to have a calmer life.

1. Find a professional specialized in trauma

A good therapist who has knowledge and experience in the issue you need to work on can make a big difference. There are therapies that specifically focus on treating trauma, such as cognitive-behavioral. or EMDR. These tools help you manage emotions, change those negative thoughts that weigh you down, and process memories that have been difficult to overcome.

2. What triggers your trauma? Identify it and manage its effect

Trauma can be triggered by small things, like a tone of voice, a place, or a specific situation. Knowing what affects you gives you the opportunity to be prepared and handle it in a better way when it happens.

3. Remember your power to self-regulate your nervous system

Simple activities like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your mind and body when you feel overwhelmed. Although they do not solve the root problem, they do give you tools for times of stress.

4. Surround yourself with people who help you feel calm

It is important to be with people who make you feel at peace and who do not judge you. Therefore, building relationships based on respect and empathy is super important to help you heal step by step.

5. Give your body the care it really needs

No matter the case, taking care of yourself will always bring good results. For example, when you sleep well, eat in a balanced way and keep your body moving, you are cultivating good habits that are essential to regain balance between your mind and your body.

6. Keep in mind how much you have evolved

Trauma is not completely overcome overnight, and if someone tells you otherwise, they are probably lying to you. There will be difficult days, but also days when you will feel like you can breathe a little easier, so recognizing those moments is important to keep moving forward.