We all experience pain and trauma or stress in different ways. Our bodies may only show physical symptoms at a later stage due to adrenaline that rushes through the body or by blocking out the situation when we are experiencing stress or trauma. The amygdala holds the emotional consequences of the event as the brain goes into overdrive. Sometimes we just want to forget about the situation, as we believe that “everything, is fine”. A headache, stomach cramps, or other health conditions may be caused by a previous stress or a traumatic event that was triggered. With all of that, we might ask ourselves: “What is going on?”, “Why is this happening to me?”.
As a mother, I experienced traumatic pregnancies and births and kept my emotions to myself due to the fact that it is believed and expected that “moms need to be strong”. Some moms have wonderful pregnancies and birthing experiences, but for me, it was really traumatic and emotionally draining. It was very scary giving birth, but the day I met both of my daughters, I realized that it was all worth the tears and stress. I reminded myself that I have someone that I need to be strong for, someone to love and protect, someone that needs to see what a mother’s love looks like and the examples I need to set for them. I need them to know how much I love them and that making mistakes is part of the process of growth, as long as you have a support system. Sometimes you might feel that you can’t explain your emotions to someone fearing that they might not understand you or might judge you. In the moment of experiencing physical and emotional pain, we might say or do something to defend ourselves if we feel hopeless. By dealing with trauma and difficult situations, you learn how to cope by avoiding triggers, taking a deep breath, and analysing the situation. We may not have all the answers that we need, but we learn how to navigate them in a healthy way, as our mental, emotional, and physical health is important.
I always hold on to my favourite verse –
Psalm 121:1 “I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Let’s talk about the different types of health that have an impact on your well-being:
What is Mental health?
Mental health is considered as a behavioural, cognitive, and emotional balance that allows a person to function responsibly in a familiar, social, or work environment, by enjoying well-being and quality of life. When you are affected by trauma, you become more vulnerable to developing mental health problems. Everyone has different coping skills; some people may misuse alcohol or drugs and some people may seek help as soon as they feel ready. In the Bible, we read about anxiety in 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. God wants us to give all our worries and concerns to Him. You may not have all the answers now, but by staying in prayer, God will show you the way. The impact of your trauma can affect your daily life and lead to Anxiety, Depression, or PTSD. Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
What is Emotional health?
Emotional health is referred to one’s overall psychological well-being. The way we see ourselves, the conditions of our relationships, and the capability to manage our own emotions in different situations. We should not allow the circumstances of our everyday life to control our emotions. We should focus on our well-being and the relationships we build. In the Bible, we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” We easily remember the negative comments that people make, instead of building ourselves up and believing in ourselves as God loved us first. We forget what the word “Love” means, as protecting ourselves from everyone is a better option. We sometimes put on a mask, so that the world can’t see the real pain and worry, because then no one will ask questions. We need to remember that we are never alone and that we have a support system that we can lean on. With love comes forgiveness, we can’t move forward if we keep on carrying a bag on our backs that is filled with emotions. 1 Corinthians 13: 13 “And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love”.
What is Physical health?
Physical health can be described as the condition of the functioning of your body. The overall well-being of your body. Our food choices play a big role in nurturing our bodies, mind, and spirit. We sometimes find it hard to drink water and stay hydrated (especially in the winter 😊 ), but it is beneficial for a clear mindset and it is an overall cleanser of the body. It is important to work out a routine for yourself and your family to get enough sleep. One technique that we all use to calm ourselves down is to breathe. By breathing you decrease anxiety or stress and you increase your current mood and self-esteem.
We all look after our bodies in different ways and we all experience illness at some stage in life, but the way we heal and cope affects our emotional and mental health. In Jeremiah 33:6 we read “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security”. We all understand that complete physical healing may not occur in this lifetime, but we also know that God has a plan and purpose for everyone. The important part is that we allow God into our lives and keep praying for a miracle.
For us to live a well-balanced and healthy life, we need to move on from situations that may have caused trauma. We can’t keep on looking back in the rear-view mirror, we need to look forward in life and recover in a healthy way. Life has so much to give, but the way we perceive it makes a difference. It doesn’t matter where you come from, but it is important where you are going. It is OK to ask for help when you have been through a traumatic event or feel you cannot cope. We are not made to cope alone.
Upon reflection, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
How has your Mental, Emotional, and Physical health been the past month?
Have you experienced a traumatic event that you can’t cope with?
How do you cope with a stressful situation?
Do you have a support system when you are in need of support?
Does healthy well-being play an important role in your life?
If you have any questions about your well-being or you would like to make an appointment for a counselling session, you are more than welcome to contact me.
Written by Geraldine van Zyl
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