Heal & Help Heal

Self-care is not selfish. Schedule some time away from your day-to-day obligations and do something for yourself. You deserve it. Check out some of these stay-at-home self care ideas. If you’re outdoorsy, GirlTrek is a great organization to connect with for self-care nature experiences.

Physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Oftentimes, Trauma healing starts with taking care of your body.

Find some good, healthy options at your local farmers market.

Trauma is stored in your mind and body. As we begin to heal from our trauma, we want to rid our mind and body of those harmful deposits. 

Consider contacting a professional to learn more about healing from trauma.

People who experience trauma often respond differently to stressful situations. Trauma informed experts recommend taking a step back from the situation and taking one big breath before addressing your stressful state.

Inhale deep for three seconds, hold it, and exhale. Try it with the rest of the country at onebigbreath.org.

Black men and Black women experience hurt like everyone else. Black people do not have to internalize their pain and expressing your feelings does not make you weak. Black Men Heal is a great resource for Black men and women to heal together.

Take the steps to make sure your home and family are protected in the right way. Home security systems are more affordable today than they ever were. See which one fits your budget and secure your home.

FLOW

Sometimes, when you find yourself hitting a wall over and over again, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Kayaking teaches you to relax, be patient, and go with it until you get the hang of the motion you need to generate in order to move along smoothly.

Though not free, it’s also a great excuse to get outside and engage in a low-impact activity that can improve your aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility.

Check out Hidden River Outfitters for times, locations and cost.

Cycling reduces stress hormones and naturally increases feel-good serotonin levels.

You can join a community at a local Soul Cycle or find a bike trail near you.

Two out of every three people who were incarcerated end up re-incarcerated within three years. REFORM Alliance is doing the work to establish a prison system that properly supports current and former incarcerated people.

You’ve grown so much in the past few years. Be mindful and celebrate your growth and use that self-reflection to push forward.

Check out Happify, a free app with games and activities, scientifically designed to help users overcome negative thoughts and life's challenges.

Stand up for causes you believe in. Donate, volunteer vote and more.

Check out Move On and use your time to support the changes you want to see.

Reset your social media priorities. Follow pages that uplift you and provide the daily affirmations that you need.

Be there for the ones you love. Learn to recognize signs of depression and be the support that your loved one needs.

Taking deep, slow breaths relieves traumatic stress. Check out Start2Heal breathing exercises.

The pandemic caused more college students everywhere to seek peer counseling to ease their mental health struggles.

Lean on Me provides a confidential safe space for peer-to-peer conversations around mental health.

Tap in with the community that supports you. The Trevor Project provides a community and resources like counseling for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Find solace in the tech field. Learn new coding skills online and tap into your creativity.

Fresh air breaks, Meetups, bike rides and more. Explore different ways to relax after a long day.

Vulnerability can be difficult–but it’s healing to express your feelings. Download free counseling apps like Woebot.

Dealing with loss is difficult, but wounds heal better in the open. Get trusted guidance when you need it the most.

Young people who make mistakes are being punished like adults.

Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project works to keep juveniles out of adult prisons.

Music is the ultimate healer. Build your playlist and let the beats relieve your stress.

HBCUs have some of the best drumlines you’ll ever experience.

Writing is therapeutic, a powerful way to heal and help heal others.

Find a virtual writing group to keep up during the Coronavirus pandemic, including those offered by Mighty Writers.

Expression is healing. Poetry, music, art and dance–use your creativity to heal yourself and others.

When the right support group doesn’t exist, help build one.

Use Meetup to create a space for people in the community you want to be a part of.

Education + Job Training = Trauma Healing. Explore your skills through trade school, college or certificate programs and pursue a new opportunity that serves you.

Wind sprints help clear your mind of the stress and anxiety from the day. Try running the track or playing fast-paced sports like basketball and soccer to relieve your anxieties.

There are several ways that you can find your center. Meditation, yoga, prayer etc. Close your eyes, relax your shoulders and restore your spirit.

Find free online yoga tutorials from Transformation Yoga Project.

Socialization is essential to the human experience. Find people that match your energy. Take advantage of several free dating apps to find that significant other who understands you.

Podcasts are a booming industry and there’s one for everybody. Looking for something more conversational and interactive? Download the audio app Clubhouse and chat with people who share common interests.

Explore your passions on social media. YouTube search what motivates you. Be cautious of the amount of screen time you’re using. Social media is a great tool but don’t let it take up too much of your time.

It’s never too late to heal through your own music making.  

Get started with free online music courses. Middle and high school students, contact Rock to the Future about their free Mobile Music Workshops.

Presidential elections are every 4 years. In between, there are mayoral, judicial and gubernatorial elections that take place. Get active in your community, learn the dates and vote your interests.

Walking reduces stress and allows you to breathe in some fresh air. Bring a friend (or pet) and choose a route where you feel safe.

Plant seeds of hope and healing. Embracing nature through gardening is a form of self-care. Better your mental health through gardening and do a service to your body through eating natural foods.

Your voice is your instrument and your instrument heals. Use your voice whether it’s through podcasting, rap music, singing or poetry. Let your voice heal yourself and others.

Release endorphins that make us feel happy. Local comedy clubs are affordable. Get some cheap laughs at your local comedy club.

Make a promise and a commitment to healing from your trauma.

Savor the moments that make you the happiest. Spend time with people you love and document your experiences to hold onto those memories forever.

Get insights on trauma healing with eye-opening books.

Former President Barack Obama shared his list of Summer 2022 reads. Maybe you and the president have the same taste.