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Healing from Trauma in the New Year: How to Start Fresh

A new year brings opportunities to start fresh and look forward, but recovering from trauma can make it challenging to focus on the future. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 70% of Americans have experienced trauma in their lives. 

Traumatic experiences and life events significantly impact your mental health, both in the short and long term, leading to heightened anxiety and stress. This can make it more difficult to approach the new year with optimism and hope. If trauma affects your mental health, you might struggle to set goals or pursue aspirations, feeling more anxious than excited about the start of a new chapter.

There are many ways to support healing and recovery from trauma, but the process takes time, and additional help or support may be necessary. Residential mental health treatment can provide a safe, secure, and supportive environment to foster healing and help you start anew. Below, we share our best advice for how to help you begin the new year on a positive note while healing from trauma.

Reflect on Your Healing Journey

The end of the year is traditionally a time for reflection. When recovering from trauma, it’s beneficial to consider where you are on your healing journey.

Assess your current mental health and reflect on your progress

Start by evaluating your current mental health and reflecting on your progress. How do you feel now? Is your mental health improving? It’s normal to experience ups and downs or a mix of emotions as you evaluate your recovery journey. You may still feel overwhelmed at times or stuck, but acknowledging where you are is an essential part of moving forward.

Seek advice and support

You don’t have to navigate difficult days or weeks alone. Know that advice, treatment, and support are available to help you heal. Residential mental health treatment facilities like Jackson House offer personalized care to help you recover and rebuild.

Celebrate small achievements

Recovering from trauma is incredibly challenging, so it’s important to celebrate small achievements and milestones along the way. Working toward goals, no matter how small, is critical in mental health recovery.

Benefits of Residential Mental Health Treatment

Residential mental health treatment offers numerous benefits for trauma recovery, including:

  • A safe and supportive environment: Jackson House provides treatment in a secure, welcoming space designed to foster healing.
  • Access to experienced mental health professionals: Residential treatment offers 24/7 support from trained therapists, specialist nurses, and certified peer support specialists. These experts work together to help you experience the most favorable outcomes. 
  • Tailored trauma recovery: Our programs are customized to your needs, utilizing specialized therapies for trauma recovery.
  • Dual diagnosis treatment: Many facilities are equipped to address both mental health conditions and co-occurring issues such as addiction. Whether you are struggling with mental health, addiction, or both, Jackson House can help.
  • Aftercare services: Trauma recovery often requires ongoing support. Aftercare services, like those offered at Jackson House, allow you the opportunity to maintain your progress after treatment.

Setting Realistic Recovery Goals for the New Year

Many people set goals at the start of the year. Around one-third of Americans make resolutions on January 1st. Goal-setting can be beneficial for those recovering from trauma, but it’s important to set realistic and achievable targets.

Set small goals

Focus on manageable goals, such as journaling, practicing mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, or attending therapy sessions regularly.

Build connections with others

Connecting with people who share similar experiences or understand your journey can boost confidence and foster a sense of belonging. Consider exploring online or in-person group therapy and support groups.

Make use of aftercare, outpatient care, and alumni programs

Take advantage of aftercare services, outpatient support, and alumni programs to maintain your progress and build lasting relationships with those who’ve supported you during recovery.

Moving Forward and Embracing Compassion

Healing from trauma takes time. Embracing compassion and allowing yourself to heal at your own pace can make a huge difference.

Give yourself time

There’s no universal timeline for healing. Everyone’s journey is unique. Take the time you need and understand that setbacks and progress are both part of recovery. Avoid feeling pressured by others’ expectations, and be patient with yourself.

Practice self-care

Self-care is essential during trauma recovery. You can’t heal your mind while neglecting your body. Focus on rest, good-quality sleep, nutrition, relaxation, and exercise. Engage in activities that bring you joy, peace, and energy, such as painting, reading, meditating, or spending time in nature. When your basic needs are taken care of, you can tap into the energy and strength required to face difficult emotions and situations.

Seek professional treatment and support

Reaching out for professional help is a proactive and empowering step. Residential mental health care provides the structure, insight, and tools you need to confront and move past your trauma for good.

Trauma Recovery Treatment in San Diego

Healing is a journey, and a new year offers the chance to start fresh. While trauma recovery takes time, help and support are available. If you’ve experienced trauma that is significantly impacting your life, it may be time to reach out. Contact Jackson House today to begin your path toward greater peace of mind.

About the author

Jackson House

Jackson House

We built Jackson House because we realized there was a critical gap in our healthcare system and many individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems were struggling because of it. While there are many outpatient treatment options and locked, inpatient facilities there was nothing in the middle. Nothing to help people who needed around the clock care but wanted to receive treatment voluntarily, on their own terms. Jackson House is different. We provide clients with the level of care they need in a welcoming environment. When you walk through our doors, we will meet you wherever you’re at and help you on your journey toward feeling better.

It's time to feel better

We are here to help and we are in-network with most insurance providers. Call us for a free and confidential consultation.

If you’re a provider and need to send us information on a client, please feel free to fax us at 619-303-7044. If you need help immediately, call our 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-766-4274. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Jackson House is licensed by the State of California Community Care Licensing Division and certified by the Department of Health Care Services. We are also CARF Accredited. If you have any client or quality of care concerns, please reach out to us at (888) 255-9280. If your concerns need further attention, you can contact the Department of Public Health at 619-278-3700 or the Community Care Licensing Division at 1-844-538-8766.