5 Signs Your Body is Releasing Trauma After a Burn Injury

Experiencing a traumatic event doesn’t affect just your brain or your body — it actually affects both. It is common for trauma survivors to have physical symptoms due to the traumatic stress that can affect their sleep, mood, and relationships.

While a burn injury can actually cause pain in your body, the stress of the event itself can also present itself as physical pain. When trauma occurs, the nervous system activates, causing anxiety and a state of constant alarm. Even after the event, the body may still be in a constant state of alarm, commonly referred to as a “fight or flight” response.

Here are a few signs that your body may be experiencing trauma:

• Headache

• Neck, back, shoulder tension/aches

• Fatigue

• Difficulty breathing

• Heart racing/chest ache

• Stomach ache/Digestion problems

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sweating

How to Let Go of Trauma in the Body

Dealing with trauma is different for everybody—and there is no one-size-fits-all approach for what works for any. With that said, there are a variety of ways that you can help alleviate your traumatic stress and recover from the event; here are a few:

• Seek Professional Help

  • Visiting a Psychologist or Mental Health Professional

  • Visit a Doctor

• Practice self-care

  • Massage

  • Journaling

  • Tapping

  • Yoga

  • Meditation

  • Exercise

  • Listen to music

• Telling Your Story

• Joining a Peer Support Group

• Avoid alcohol or substance abuse

• Get back into a routine

1. Your Sleep Begins to Improve

Trauma can significantly affect the quality of your sleep. It is easy to dwell on the traumatic event you experienced as you lay down for the night, leading to insomnia, restless sleep, or nightmares.

If you have a physical injury that still causes you pain, it can be even more difficult to sleep. The combination of physical and mental distress may make it feel like it is impossible to rest.

When your body begins to release that trauma, you are likely to notice your sleep problems becoming less severe.

Here are a few ways you can work to improve your sleep after trauma:

• Practice meditation, especially as you go to sleep

• Practice good sleep hygiene and have a dedicated nighttime routine

  • Maintain a regular sleep routine

  • Avoid daytime naps

  • Don’t stay in bed awake for more than 5-10 minutes

  • Don’t watch TV, use the computer, or read in bed

  • Drink caffeinated drinks with caution

  • Avoid inappropriate substances that interfere with sleep

  • Have a quiet, comfortable bedroom with clean, fresh air

• Accept that your sleep may be disturbed and mentally prepare ahead of time (Practice acceptance that sleep is a challenge after trauma and that it can, in fact, improve with time. Consider employing new behaviors and tools when it becomes a problem)

• Get exercise during the day to improve sleep

2. You Have Less Pain or Irritation

As time goes on, your injuries will heal. But a reduction in the pain or discomfort you feel, such as itching or other symptoms, may be another sign that your body is releasing trauma. Psychological distress can make physical discomfort worse.

Similarly, physical pain can affect your level of psychological distress and trauma. The pain is a reminder of the trauma that you suffered and feeds into worries about never getting better, either physically or mentally. In this way, your body and mind can feed off of one another in both positive and negative ways.

Fortunately, finding ways to deal with physical pain and discomfort can be more straightforward than dealing with mental distress. These may include:

• Asking for help with physical care from a friend, family member, or medical professional

• Being gentle with yourself and making allowances for your physical limitations as you heal

• Attending physical therapy

• Finding ways to reconnect with and move your body in safe ways, such as through yoga, dancing, or swimming

3. You Take Interest in Hobbies

It is common to feel anxious or depressed after a traumatic event, especially one that involves physical trauma. A side effect of PTSD, as well as depression, includes losing interest in hobbies. You might feel listless or unable to concentrate or simply unable to feel invested in the things that you used to enjoy.

If you suddenly find yourself picking up a paintbrush, reading a book, or thinking about going for a job, it could be a sign that your body is beginning to release that trauma. However, it can be a long road to get to that point.

4. You’re Willing to Talk About the Event

One of the most common things that humans do after experiencing trauma is avoid talking about the event. It is natural to want to repress those memories — they are simply too painful to relive.

But talking about them is vital to moving past them. If you find yourself talking about your experiences with a friend or considering going to therapy, this is a great sign. It means that you are beginning to release that trauma and are feeling ready to move on to the next stage of your healing.

It is important to challenge yourself to talk with someone who can help you. Healing never comes with repressing emotions or trying to deal with trauma on your own.

5. You Feel Open to Physical Affection

Rejecting physical affection after a traumatic event is common, especially if you suffered a physical injury. It is natural not to want to be touched if you are in pain. But even if it’s not painful to be touched, it can still be emotionally overwhelming.

Feeling more open to physical affection, whether that means simple hugs or sexual intimacy, is another sign that your body is releasing trauma.

You may be able to get to this point by going slowly, one step at a time. If you’re wondering how to let go of trauma in the body, gentle physical activities like yoga can be a great first step.