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Reducing the Effects of ACEs – for Adults | My Doctor Online

Reducing the Effects of ACEs – for Adults

We’re here to support you in healing from ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and reducing their effects on your health. How can you heal? The best thing you can do is to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. We can help.

It’s never too late to make positive changes, big or small.

Here are some ways to support your mental and emotional health:

  • Think about and understand how ACEs have impacted you. This can include your life circumstances, relationships, and health (physical, emotional, and mental). You might talk with a counselor to work through childhood emotional experiences.
  • Recall people who cared for you as a child or teen, such as parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, or other trusted adults. These nurturing relationships helped reduce negative effects from ACEs.
  • Learn practical ways to build your resilience, such as connecting with others. Use these tools daily.
  • Get the support you need. This may include wellness coaching, joining a stress management class, connecting with resources in your community, or counseling.

To support your physical health, it’s also important to:

  • Stay up to date on preventive care. Schedule any screenings or tests that you’re due for. Make sure to get any vaccines or immunizations you need.
  • Talk to your doctor about any current health concerns.
  • Address health-harming behaviors. We have resources to help you quit smoking and get help if you have a substance abuse disorder.
  • Make healthy habits, such as eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep.
  • Increase your physical activity. Aim for 150 minutes a week. You don’t have to do it all at once. Ten to 15 minutes of exercise during the day adds up.
  • Spend time in nature, whether in the woods, park, or garden. Research shows being in nature improves our mental and physical well-being.
  • Do a creative hobby you enjoy. It can be anything from cooking to dancing to any form of artistic expression.

When to call us

If you think ACEs or other very stressful experiences are affecting you, reach out for help now. Don’t delay. Contact your doctor or the Mental Health Department at your local medical center. We can assess your needs and help you get care.

We can also connect you with classes and support for building resilience, managing stress, quitting smoking, and more.

Additional References

Disclaimer

If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.