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Healing Is a Journey: The Importance of Ongoing Support and Self-Care
- Karen Law
- May 19
- 3 min read
Sustainable Healing Begins With Gentle, Consistent Support
A Path, Not a Destination
Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It unfolds gradually, often in layers, as your body and mind feel safe enough to begin letting go. For those of us who carry trauma, especially from early life, birth experiences, or intergenerational patterns, recovery is not a straight line. There might be times of relief, followed by periods of emotional intensity or fatigue. This doesn’t mean you’re going backwards. It means your system is doing exactly what it needs: integrating.
Trying to “fix” everything quickly can sometimes be overwhelming. What’s more helpful is to focus on building capacity, learning to feel safe, grounded, and more connected in your everyday life. That’s what makes deeper healing possible.
Listening to Your Body's Needs Over Time
As you move forward in your healing, your needs will change. Early on, you might crave rest, stillness, and comfort. Later, you might feel more ready for deeper emotional work, or even reconnecting with creativity or joy. This is all part of your body’s intelligence. It knows what you’re ready for, and when.
Learning to listen to your body in this way is a practice in itself. It’s not always easy, especially if you’ve had to disconnect from your body to feel safe. That’s why working gently and consistently is so important. It helps rebuild trust in your inner signals and responses.
What Sustainable Self-Care Looks Like
Sustainable self-care isn’t about bubble baths or occasional treats (although those can be lovely too). It’s about weaving practices into your everyday life that help you feel more present, more resourced, and more like yourself.
That might look like:
Letting go of perfectionism around your healing journey
Having regular supportive touch, like nurturing massage
Creating small rituals that help you regulate: like a few minutes of breathing, journaling, or walking barefoot on grass
Reaching out for connection when you notice signs of emotional isolation
Making time for something that feels joyful or creative
These small, regular actions create a foundation. They gently increase your nervous system’s capacity and help you feel less reactive and more resilient..
Let Your Therapist Know if You’re Struggling
Sometimes, especially after a session or during a period of emotional release, you might experience a healing crisis... a temporary worsening of symptoms as your body processes old wounds. This can feel unsettling, but it’s not unusual. Letting your therapist know if anything difficult arises between sessions is important. You don’t have to carry it alone or wait until your next appointment. Your healing should feel supported, not overwhelming.
Recommended Reading
If you're looking to deepen your understanding of how self-care and healing practices affect your brain and body chemistry, I recommend The DOSE Effect by TJ Power. The book explores how simple, consistent habits can boost your natural levels of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins — the “feel-good” chemicals that support long-term wellbeing. It’s a practical and encouraging read for anyone on a healing path.
Since reading The Dose Effect I have changed some of my daily practices and have promised myself to continue moving away from the habits I had fallen into with technology. I took the plunge, literally, and signed up to my local leisure centre to go swimming regularly. Something that I had been considering for years, but had never followed through on.
Take a Moment
Take a moment to notice: what kind of support feels most nourishing for you right now? What would it look like to offer that to yourself regularly?
Final Thoughts
Healing takes time, but it also becomes more easeful with the right support. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Whether you’re in the early stages of healing or navigating a new phase, I offer trauma-informed approaches that meet you where you are and support your nervous system to gently shift out of survival mode.
💜 If you’re ready to take the next step on your healing journey, I'm here to support you. . Whether you’re looking for a calm space to reconnect with your body or ready to explore deeper healing, we’ll find the approach that feels right for you.
