Tools for Healing
Ready for the Return has compiled a list of activities and suggestions to
ease the transition from combat to everyday life. Using an integrated
approach means supplementing conventional medicine with healing practices such
as meditation, yoga, or expressive arts. Choose any four of the following
tools to enhance healing:
- Work with a trusted therapist familiar with PTSD,
and new skill sets recommended to work through the PTSD
symptoms. Some of these new skill sets include Contact Reflex
Analysis, Emotional Freedom Technique, Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma
Pattern Release.
- Learn more about PTSD and the medications known
as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which have been
especially helpful in the early phases of treatment.
- Join a support group with other returning soldiers, their families, and
friends.
- Participate in physical exercise or a moving meditative practice such as
tai chi, yoga, aikido, tai bo, or qi gong.
- Develop self-soothing practices/skill in relaxation with breath work,
guided imagery, mediation, prayer, or self-hypnosis.
- Connect with the spiritual through prayer or symbolic ritual that has
meaning to you.
- Get body work on a regular basis: massage, myofacial release,
cranio-sacral, Reiki, healing touch, therapeutic touch, and Polarity therapy
or other forms of energy healing work.
- Take up an expressive art: dance, journaling, painting, or poetry
can help channel built up emotions.
- Listen to guided imagery tapes to help integrate deep change by engaging
the right brain.
- Volunteer for meaningful service where you help others in their time of
need.