Living with PTSD and anxiety can be tough. Daily triggers can make simple tasks feel scary and exhausting, requiring a lot of energy to get through the day.
During a very challenging period in my own life, I have also struggled with managing the mental and physical exhaustion due to prolonged and situational trauma. I know how it feels and I certainly gained insights on managing overwhelm first hand and through personal experience as well as my training and research.
It was a pivotal point in my life. Looking back, I wish I knew then what I now know.
If you’re reading this, you may also be familiar with that type of experience. I'm led to writing this blog because I want you to know that there is hope and a process for healing out of these very difficult times. Our body and mind can and does heal. Isn't that wonderful?
The Turning Point: My Healing Journey Begins
After a few years of really wondering when the suffering would end, I realised I needed a break away. I just needed some spoiling space, no responsibilities, quiet, rest and nature not people. I made a bold decision almost at burn out and booked a five-night mindfulness retreat in the countryside, which included plenty of quiet time and space to do nothing. When I had all that time, I had a significant realisation! I allowed myself to fully experience my emotions or rather I had space not to avoid them. They surfaced in the space - all the grief, pain, sadness, anger and then the insights came....
Although I had practised mindfulness for many decades, this experience was totally different. This wasn’t an hour of guided meditation or a temporary escape that had little impact in the rest of the week. This was a fully immersive environment, where I could focus on my emotional pain with support and help not to be overwhelmed by it. It was the most beautiful time and I am very grateful for the people who said small things or gave a kind smile - knowing I was safe and cared for was really helpful.
It was here that I gained the valuable insight of how to manage my PTSD - not in my head but in my body! I now incorporate this knowledge into my therapy sessions with clients now, if they are interested. Being in my head and going over everything and trying to 'fix', 'escape' and 'get over it' was not working but going to my body to calm my body was key. Simple but so life changing.
Staying Present with Pain
Of course I had to learn, over weeks and months, with guidance (and supported with counselling) to stay present with the challenging emotions—especially my sadness and grief. Feeling intense feelings can be overwhelming but I balanced that with soothing from within using mindful presence and breathing techniques. I even eventually could feel grateful for the life quake I had experienced because I learned to care for myself in a deeply gentle way I had not done before.
Mindfulness and Counselling - the magic duo for working with PTSD symptoms
Alongside mindfulness, I engaged in trauma-informed counselling. I explored additional therapeutic approaches like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I started rowing and running and dancing because I discovered how therapeutic movement was for trauma anxiety. I researched so much about trauma and anxiety management.
I learned each time I faced a trigger, to practise grounding myself in the present, knowing that while I couldn’t change what happened in the past, I could control my response in the moment. Over time, this approach helped me develop greater resilience because (massive insight I learned number 2....) my brain was rewiring itself to a brain that could feel safe again. I literally started to rewire my brain. Of course at this point I didn't know about the huge amount of research that mindfulness can heal a brain and rebuild helpful neural pathways but I did experience it and it made sense to break the 'dysregulation' I had to do something soothing inside my body as that was where I felt the emotion not in my head!
Building Resilience and Self-Compassion
A key part of my recovery was also nurturing self-compassion. Trauma often comes with a harsh inner critic—constantly feeling (or even been told or judged) like you’re not “coping well enough.” Mindfulness allowed me to soften that inner voice, replacing judgement with kind insight and understanding. Learning to treat myself with kindness, rather than criticism for being in a vulnerable place and feeling deep grief, became an essential part of my healing.
An Invitation to Your Own PTSD / anxiety Healing Journey
If you’re living with PTSD, anxiety or deep grief that feels over bearing, I want you to know that healing is possible. It takes time and patience, but with the right support, you can find your peace and resilience again.
My final insight I wanted to share that I learned was: part of me was overwhelmed. Part of me was still fighting, determined to heal and both parts were courageous and doing their best to get me in a better place and release the inner pain safely.
If you're ready to take that step, I would be honoured to support you on your journey.
Having walked this path myself, I understand the complexities of PTSD, and I’m here to help you rebuild your sense of safety with insight and kindness, gentleness and wisdom. You don’t have to go through this alone—together, we can help support your body through mindfulness and then work safely with the feelings and trauma.
Please get in touch via the contact page or email me with your contact and I will contact you: mymindfulcounsellor@gmail.com
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