What can you do for yourself regarding ACEs? Self-care is any voluntary activity that can help you maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. While self-care will not erase the impact of ACEs and trauma, it can help to build resilience and promote positive emotions and behaviors. Here are resources you can try, with notes on how they help. You may already be doing some of these! Share this with a friend and spread the word.
For Adults Who Have Faced ACEs
It can be difficult to take positive steps forward for your life and those in it when your life had its own serious difficulties. Check out these two videos for more information and some life-affirming ideas.
Meditation 101: A Beginner's Guide
"Push-ups for your mind" - have a laugh and learn at the same time about the science behind meditation. This animated, two-minute video will give you a background on the importance of meditation and how you can use it to remain calm.
Four Rituals That Will Make You a Happier Person
Neuroscientist Alex Korb, provides tips and tricks for cheering yourself up. This article gives you some concrete tools for bringing about happiness in your own life and explains the brain science behind each method. Make an "upward spiral of happiness" - brain science confirms what you may already know about feeling happier.
CAPPD - Your plan (or one to do with children) to remain calm when you feel stressed
Make a "Safety Plan" - Your own set of practical steps that help when you things go awry. Developed by the Multiplying Connections Initiative, CAPPD stands for CALM, ATTUNED, PRESENT, PREDICTABLE and DON'T Let the Child's emotions escalate your own. CAPPD strategies can promote optimal brain development using methods that are both practical and easy to implement.
How to Choose a Trauma Therapist for Post-Traumatic Stress and Dissociative Conditions
When self-care may not be enough, getting professional help can be necessary to alleviating the symptoms of trauma and toxic stress but knowing what to look for in a therapist can be a challenge. The Sidran Institute has developed some tips for finding a quality therapist who can provide care for individuals who have experienced trauma.
Facing a Crisis?
211.org can help with resources for a crisis. Visit online or simply call 211 on your phone.