Thousands of children each year are victims of abuse and neglect, both physically and mentally. The effects of childhood trauma can last into adulthood and even beyond, resulting in depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. To heal your inner child after a traumatic childhood, try these ten ways to heal the inner child.
1) Visit your inner child
Inner child healing is about accessing and acknowledging your inner child's thoughts, feelings, and memories. It's about the inner child within you who was there when you were a little girl or boy. The inner child that was there when you felt unsafe, scared, and alone. Acknowledging your inner child can help you heal from the trauma that happened in childhood. For most of our childhoods, we have suppressed our emotions and feelings because we were in an abusive home, were neglected or we didn't have the tools and knowledge of how to release these emotions. Our parents did the best they could and they were simply repeating the pattern from their own childhood. That wounded little child is still within you waiting so simply be seen and heard.
2) Let go of the past
Letting go of the past is one of the most important things we can do to heal the inner child, and the most difficult. By reliving the past and letting those emotions take over, you keep your emotional body in that state of trauma. Releasing these emotions through somatic practices will help you heal and find more peace and serenity in the present. Breathwork is a powerful modality to release suppressed emotions.
3) Engage in fun activities
As we let our adults take over life's responsibilities, filling our lives with meetings, stress, and mundane activities, we forget our inner child. The one who is left abandoned and discarded hoping to be given a little bit of attention. They are always waiting for you to acknowledge them. They thrive in what brings you joy, peace, and happiness. They want you to remember the times when fun and play were a regular part of your day. So take a moment and think of some of your favorite activities when you were a child. Activities that made you forget about the world and you got lost doing. Your inner child is waiting to relive those special memories.
4) Meditate and visualize
Meditation is an excellent way to cope with childhood trauma, but not everyone knows how. Meditation can be simple and don't overwhelm yourself with the process. Simply being still for a few seconds is a very impactful form of meditation. You want your spine straight and your neck relaxed. Now close your eyes and take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth while concentrating on different parts of your body. For example, inhale from the toes up to the head. Hold for a few seconds and release before moving on. Concentrate on each part until you feel at ease. This will help you get back in touch with what's happening in your body as well as cope with any pain or stress that may have been caused by past traumas so that you can heal more quickly. Meditation helps with being in the present moment and create a connection with yourself.
5) Use guided meditation
Guided Meditation for Healing the Inner Child:
Find a comfortable place where you can sit or lie down. You may find it helpful to get into a position that will help you feel grounded, such as sitting on the floor with your back against a wall. Close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Focus on your breath as it comes in and out of your body. Allow yourself time to settle into this breathing pattern before continuing. Once you feel settled, imagine that there is a small child curled up in the center of your body, near the bottom of your stomach area. This is who we are going to be working with today - this little child who has been through so much already and needs some TLC from us. For some Inner Child Guided Meditations click HERE.
6) Learn Reiki healing techniques
One of the most powerful ways that you can heal your inner child is by learning Reiki healing techniques. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It involves the use of healing energy which is said to be transmitted through the practitioner's hands. Reiki Healing Level 1 is all about self-healing and inner child work is a big part of the curriculum.
7) Change your self-talk
Words are quite powerful and your inner child is always listening. Be aware of the words you are using when speaking about yourself. Are they kind? Are they useful? Are they loving? It's not your fault. You are not the one who did something wrong. The abuse, neglect, or abandonment that you experienced as a child is not your fault. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, that you're bad, or that you deserved it. Positive self-talk is a powerful tool to heal the inner child.
8) Give yourself time and space to heal
No matter what you have experienced, you deserve compassion and understanding for the child who has been through it. You are not alone. And healing is possible. Here are some ways that might help:
-Create a safe space in your home where you can go when you need comfort or just want to be alone with your thoughts. Make this space a special place where no one will disturb you or make fun of anything that happens there.
-Stay away from drug and alcohol use, even if they seem like the only way to escape the pain.
-Make time for yourself. A time when you and your inner child spend quality time together.
Your inner child is a part of you and is craving the love and attention it might have missed out growing up.
9) Treat yourself with love, compassion, and respect
In order to heal your inner child, you need to love, respect, and care for them as much as possible. Ask them how they feel and what they need from you. Be patient with yourself and know that this process is not easy. You are doing the best you can with the tools you know.
10) Share your experiences with others
Most of us have had childhood traumas, You are never alone. Sharing your story with others that have been through similar experiences will provide comfort, support, and empathy on your healing journey. You are never alone. Meetup is a great site to find local support groups.
So these are a few ways to heal your inner child. Try the ones that resonate with you or try them all. Feel free to share your experience with us.
Interested in writing for Inner Child Worksheets? We are always looking for contributors. Click HERE for more info.
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