One of the struggles that our troops face when they return from duty is the battle against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can have a number of effects on a person, including depression, suicidality, and loss of faith, but it is possible to face these issues head-on with a combination of psychological methods and spiritual strength. Indeed, some may find their spirit to be weakened throughout the course of psychological rehabilitation, which can be a strenuous process despite its beneficial effects. Because of this, I’ve compiled a couple of tips and lessons to help you or your loved ones retain their spirituality and sense of purpose while undergoing therapeutic treatment for PTSD.
One of the most important things you can do to stay well and spiritual in the face of PTSD is engage in practices or activities that simultaneously make you more in tune with the world around you and collected and calm mentally. In order to achieve this state we recommend taking part in some sort of artistic exercise, like painting, writing essays or short stories, and listening to or creating music. This kind of engaging activity can help you relax and can take your mind of the more troubling aspects of your day-to-day life.
Another way to maintain your spirituality is to simply practice what you believe in. This can be very hard for some people, as they may not feel completely ready to get back to their daily, weekly, or monthly routines. Nevertheless, simply taking part in spiritual activities, like praying, meditating, or attending a religious ceremony or gathering, can start you off on the right foot and help ease your way into emotional recovery. As I said, this process can be very painful and emotionally strenuous, so it is important not to bite off more than you can chew in terms of reintegrating your spiritual routine. Once you are back in the swing of things, however, you may find that you feel better every day and that the spiritual component in your life allows you to grow and return to wellness.
There are a lot of people you can talk to if you feel yourself losing faith in the spiritual practices you once were very engaged in. Whether it’s speaking to a family member who shares the same beliefs, a counselor, or an official from whichever religion you choose to practice, simply expressing your feelings in spiritual terms can be freeing and can give you a sense of relief. As with getting back into the practice of spirituality, talking with someone can be a difficult step to take, but the rewards you will reap from it are emotionally soothing and can help you on your road to recovery.
The path toward spiritual healing is not one that is taken in a day, but hopefully the tips and lessons I have provided for you can strengthen you emotionally and spiritually and improve your daily life. I have also provided some links and resources at the end of this post in case you would like more information.
Peace,
CSI Church
Resources
Learn more about PTSD
See how depression can affect Veterans