Harnessing your body’s wisdom to heal from emotional trauma involves understanding the science behind emotional processing and regulation. Trauma can dysregulate the brain’s response to stress, leading to challenges in managing emotions effectively.
Many people with trauma tend to suppress emotions due to a lack of coping mechanisms. However, research shows that actively engaging with emotions through techniques like breathwork, somatic healing, and trauma-informed therapy can activate specific neural circuits responsible for emotional processing, release neurotransmitters that regulate mood, promote brain plasticity, and integrate experiences.
This process fosters emotional healing, resilience, and self-awareness, empowering individuals to navigate and heal from emotional trauma.
Here are 4 Steps to Harnessing your Body’s Wisdom to Heal from Emotional Trauma
Step 1 – Activating the Parasympathetic System
Childhood trauma can cause the body to stay in a state of near-constant stress. Training your body to rest is crucial for healing, and it begins by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
One way to do this is through breathwork, a simple yet powerful technique. Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system through a technique called diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing deeply and fully using your diaphragm signals to your brain that you are safe and not in danger. This triggers the parasympathetic response, also known as the “rest-and-digest” mode.
Step 2 – Regulating the Amygdala
When you experience trauma, your amygdala, known as the brain’s fear center, can be overactive. When you activate the parasympathetic nervous system, you teach your amygdala to calm. As you practice this, the amygdala becomes less reactive. This is crucial for managing fear and anxiety, and allows you to regain a sense of control over your emotions.
Step 3 – Processing Emotions
When we experience trauma, our brain’s response to stress can become dysregulated, leading to difficulties in processing and managing emotions effectively. Plus, many of us with trauma learned to suppress or avoid our emotions, often because we hadn’t learned healthy coping mechanisms.
By processing emotions, we can activate specific neural circuits in the brain, including areas like the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and insula. As we engage with our feelings, neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin are released, contributing to mood regulation and stress reduction.
Step 4 – Rewiring the Brain
Neuroplasticity is at the foundation of trauma healing. Our brains have the remarkable ability to change and form new neural connections. When we follow these steps to trauma healing, our brain strengthens new neural networks associated with resilience, calm, and joy.
Harnessing your body’s innate wisdom to heal from emotional trauma can be a powerful journey of self-discovery and resilience. By delving into the science behind emotional processing and regulation and actively engaging with your emotions through proven techniques, you can activate neural circuits, release mood-regulating neurotransmitters, promote brain plasticity, and integrate your experiences.
This holistic approach promotes emotional healing, builds resilience, and cultivates self-awareness, empowering you to tackle challenges with strength and clarity.
