Post-traumatic growth doesn’t always appear with time - it happens when certain conditions are in place after crisis. Research shows growth is more likely when you process the “why” and “what now,” connect with people who get it, use flexible coping, take meaningful action, and allow progress to unfold over time. Here are five science-backed ways to maximise your chances of growing after trauma.

Lingering pain may not just come from your body—but from broken trust. New research reveals that betrayal trauma, especially from those closest to us, is linked to chronic pain. Whether from caregivers, partners, or authority figures, these wounds can disrupt emotional processing and amplify physical symptoms. Healing requires more than medication—it requires being reconnected to safe, validating relationships.