Exposure to gun related violence is an aspect no one wants to deal with. Most people will be in shock, but they’ll also feel fearful, not to mention the traumas chasing them later on in life. On the same note, gun exposure can also affect mental health in the long run.
No matter what approach you have toward your well-being, natural or not, botanical or chemical, the truth is gun violence is so harsh that it can have a severe impact. Fortunately, there are ways to get over it in a more effective manner.
Gun violence and its effects on mental health
It’s one thing to use the Gunsnprices.com portal for guns and ammo price comparison and a different thing to be exposed to severe violence. You can own a gun or perhaps a collection, but that doesn’t mean gun violence won’t affect you.
Besides, ignoring the news about it won’t help either. There are all kinds of heartbreaking stories that simply put you off. The worst part is many of these stories affect innocent teens and children. Whether you’re involved, you’re a witness, or you hear about it, you can develop PTSD symptoms straight away.
So what happens when you experience or witness a shooting? The nervous system gets overwhelmed. Anxiety naturally kicks in, making you feel more vigilant than ever. If you live in an area with such issues, going outside will naturally bring in traumas.
Losing someone to gun violence is even more dramatic because it fills you up with anger and grief, especially when it looks like no one’s really doing anything about it.
How to tell you’re traumatized
You don’t always need a doctor to determine whether or not you’ve been traumatized by gun violence. Some of the most common physical symptoms include appetite changes, sleeping issues, and unfocused thoughts.
Emotional symptoms are more varied and may include:
- Grief
- Consistent fear
- Anger
- Disbelief
- Helplessness
Well-being goes in more directions. Apart from choosing the right botanicals for calmness and tranquility, there are other natural things you can do as well.
Acknowledge these feelings
No matter how you feel after witnessing or hearing about gun violence, these feelings are perfectly normal. Some people get even worse. You need to be patient with yourself because different people heal at different rates. Connect with your feelings and find solutions, such as therapy or wellness.
No matter what works for you, everything starts in the exact same way. You need to be aware of the emotions.
Empower yourself
Empowering yourself will help you overcome such issues mentally, and there are more ways to do it. Learn about the problem and educate yourself, it’s the best way to find solutions. You can also find ways to get involved, usually as a volunteer.
Connect with people
Positive social interactions are part of the natural healing process. You can connect with survivors or join groups of people who have been in similar situations. Such connections are empowering, especially if you attend more and more lighthearted outings.
On the same note, it’s important to be active.
Manage stress and sleep more
You can do this in a chemical way, but that means you may experience some secondary reactions, so it’s not great. You can also do it in a natural manner. Opt for botanicals and natural products to manage stress, as they won’t give you any side issues like depression or anxiety.
Sleep is also healing. You can find creams or products based on jasmine, golden pothos, lavender, peace lily, aloe, or passion flower. Some of these plants are also used to create creams or supplements that will give you the sleep you deserve without affecting you negatively.
The problem with chemicals is they’re seen as drugs. They can help you fall asleep, but they can also cause addiction, anxiety, or depression, which are some of the issues you’re trying to heal. With these thoughts in mind, stick to the natural approach as much as you can and give it time to work.
Bottom line, the repercussions of gun violence on individuals’ well-being and mental health are significant and far-reaching. The trauma, fear, and grief caused by such incidents can deeply impact the emotional and psychological state of those affected. Even if you only hear about it, it can put you off and make you feel anxious. It’s obviously worse when you witness or experience it, but luckily, there are ways to get over it.