How to Cope With Sudden Trauma Reminders

That can happen when something ordinary becomes linked with a painful memory. Your mind brings it back and your body reacts as if it is happening again, even though you are in the present.

Do one thing: pause and name five things you can see, four you can feel, and three you can hear. Breathe out slowly, longer than you breathe in, five times. Put both feet on the floor and tell yourself: This is a reminder, not the event happening again. I am here, now.

Do not fight the feeling or demand that it disappear at once. Let it rise like a wave while you do one small task, such as washing a cup, walking slowly, or moving to a quieter place.

If these moments are becoming frequent, very intense, affecting sleep or work, or making you avoid ordinary places, speaking with a mental-health professional can help. You do not have to force yourself to retell everything before you are ready.