What actually is Trauma and Stress
The etymology of trauma is a wound – wounded. This can be both physical and emotional.
Trauma and stress are defensive reactions (where we fight, flight or freeze). This response is still being activated (or rather, re-activated) even though the actual experience is over.
We build this story about ‘the trauma’ and live in this even though we are no longer there, leaving us in an immobility state. Thus creating a faulty neuroception. Our nervous system determines when we feel safe or not; and this sensing of safety is not conscious.
For example, an anxiety attack, is a release of energy out of the body, the body trying to help regulate by creating this discharge through an ‘attack’. We tend to label this as bad, but instead this is our body telling us there is something we need to address.
The body habitually defends against the discharge through arousal, keeping ourselves busy and distracted.
To physiologically ‘let go’, we must touch in again.
Heal, grow and connect, to go into, to go through and this is how we evolve. Going into the trauma and stress that is locked in the body. Otherwise we begin to find comfort in this discomfort. Going into your unresolved takes you into the nervous system to physiological maturity.
To get out of this immobility state where you cannot heal you must first take a step into the unfamiliar. But know, your body is a safe place to explore and support is along the way.
The way out, is to come in. And that might mean coming into the fear away from the numbing. Be curious. You are safe.
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