Traumatic experiences can leave deep emotional wounds in women, often long after the actual event has passed. The American Psychological Association highlights that over 50% of women will experience at least one traumatic event during their lives.
For many women, trauma doesn’t always stem from a singular cause but rather from a collection of life-altering moments. This includes domestic abuse, childbirth complications, miscarriage, or the psychological fallout of living in a high-stress environment. These events can shake one’s sense of safety, self-worth, and connection to the body.
Healing from trauma—whatever its source—requires more than just physical recovery. It involves reclaiming confidence, rebuilding inner strength, and learning to trust one’s body and emotions. This path of reconnection is deeply personal and, for many, deeply empowering.
Understanding the Emotional and Psychological Toll
Trauma, particularly when prolonged, impacts mental and emotional well-being just as intensely as physical health. For women, these events often trigger anxiety and depression or occur during pregnancy.
A study in PMC highlights that traumatic events can harm both the mental and physical health of women during the perinatal period. Past trauma heavily influenced how women experienced pregnancy and the postpartum period.
The relationship between trauma and mental health creates a reinforcing cycle. Distress increases pain perception, which in turn worsens emotional well-being. Without holistic care, many women find it difficult to break this cycle and move forward.
The Emotional Fallout of Being Ignored
A particularly damaging aspect of trauma is the feeling of being silenced or dismissed. Many women who have experienced traumatic events report being minimized, misunderstood, or outright ignored. This is especially in institutional settings like hospitals, law enforcement, or within family structures.
This neglect can deepen trauma. Take, for example, women who underwent vaginal mesh surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence. While these procedures aim to improve quality of life, many patients were left with chronic pain, mesh erosion, and internal injuries. Yet numerous women felt their voices were dismissed when they raised concerns, further eroding their trust in healthcare.
As reported in The Lancet, poor communication during surgical care left women feeling uninformed and betrayed. In response, many found strength in filing lawsuits. Many women demanded accountability by filing a transvaginal mesh lawsuit against the manufacturer.
According to TorHoerman Law, plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer failed to warn about the side effects of the product adequately. This path to justice works hand in hand with emotional and physical recovery, reinforcing hope and resilience.
Reconnecting with Your Body and Mind
After trauma, the body often feels like unfamiliar territory. Mindfulness, a practice of nonjudgmental awareness, can help bridge that disconnect. Rather than pushing away pain or difficult emotions, mindfulness encourages women to observe and accept what they’re feeling in the present moment.
Breathwork and body scans are two gentle techniques that can bring awareness back to the body. Breathwork calms the nervous system, while body scans guide the mind through each area of the body to reconnect with sensations.
A study published in MDPI found that over 56% of participants felt mindfulness eased their chronic pain. Moreover, 77% preferred it over opioid use. Practicing mindfulness helps create a calm mental space for healing, laying the groundwork for resilience and self-trust to emerge again.
Sacral Chakra Healing
The sacral chakra, located just below the navel, is linked to pleasure, creativity, and emotional connection. After traumatic events, this energy center can become blocked, making it difficult to feel in tune with one’s body.
Healing this chakra involves intentional, soothing practices. Meditation, especially focused on the lower abdomen, helps clear emotional blockages. Visualizing warm, flowing energy in this area and engaging in gentle yoga or movement exercises can revitalize this energy center.
Verywell Mind highlights a study that found balancing chakras and energy meridians helped ease anxiety, pain, and depression. Reconnecting with this energy helps women regain their sense of self and physical sovereignty. Healing this chakra plays a vital role in rebuilding confidence and embracing life fully after trauma.
Self-Compassion
Healing doesn’t demand perfection. Trying to “bounce back” too quickly often leads to more harm than good. Instead, women are encouraged to practice self-compassion— showing themselves kindness and patience during difficult times. This includes speaking gently to oneself, acknowledging pain without judgment, and allowing space to rest and recover.
A study in Taylor & Francis concludes that developing self-compassion could be a promising way to improve the well-being of those living with endometriosis. Women who practice self-compassion experience lower anxiety and depression. They also report greater resilience during pain flare-ups.
Cultivating kindness toward oneself helps create a foundation for long-term emotional and physical well-being after trauma.
FAQs
How does trauma affect mental health?
Trauma can significantly impact mental health by triggering anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It alters brain function, disrupts emotional regulation, and affects memory and trust. These changes may lead to long-term psychological distress if left unaddressed or untreated.
What are the physical signs that your body is releasing trauma?
Physical signs of trauma release may include trembling, shaking, crying, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, or sudden fatigue. These responses occur as the nervous system discharges stored stress. It occurs during emotional breakthroughs, therapy sessions, or moments of deep relaxation and safety.
How can the sacral chakra work to support healing?
The sacral chakra supports healing by encouraging emotional release, restoring balance, and enhancing the body’s natural flow of energy. When activated, it promotes creativity, comfort, and trust in the healing process, helping reduce emotional blockages and physical tension.
Here’s a practical healing exercise that blends practices to support your healing journey.
Start by finding a quiet, comfortable space. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths to center yourself. Focus on your sacral chakra, located just below the navel. Visualize a warm, orange light glowing gently in this area, bringing calm and balance.
After a few minutes, open your eyes and reflect on any sensations, emotions, or thoughts that arose during the meditation. Note any insights or intentions for reconnecting with your body and inner strength.
Repeat this ritual daily or several times a week to build steady progress. Consistent practice promotes emotional healing and deepens self-awareness.
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