The Body Keeps the Score

“Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you.” ~ Gabor Maté

 

Psychology, mind science, inner exploration and personal growth have been interests of mine since I was a young adult. I’m introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging (INFJ) on the Kiersey Temperament Sorter (KTS), driven by empathy, idealism and intuition, with a strong affinity for language and writing, and am a sucker for poetry of any kind… good, bad or mediocre.

 

Throughout my life I’ve used various types of inner child, shadow, emotional release and body work to understand, resolve and release emotional and psychological wounds. Upon turning sixty, I experienced a burst of self-reflection and personal growth that has been guided by the insights of age. I’ve recently used polyvagal theory and Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) to become more aware of the effect that early childhood trauma and neglect has had on my adult life. Early childhood development is a key factor in how the brain and nervous system are shaped. This, in turn, ultimately affects how beliefs and perspectives are developed, formed and maintained as an adult.

 

This month’s theme is emotional healing. From high-profile Olympic athletes and celebrities to fraught parents, school-age children and working adults of all ages, mental health challenges apply to all of us, and have become part of a national conversation. These pages are full of useful information and trauma-informed resources for topics such as stopping the trauma cycle, releasing stored trauma, the benefits of yoga for resolving trauma, how parents can model mental health skills and therapy dogs for PTSD.

 

Our Wise Words featured practitioner, Aimie Apigian, explains that early childhood trauma from situations of abuse or neglect can create an underlying sense of mistrust that literally wires the young brain and body via the nervous system for survival and stress, rather than for connection, security and safety.

 

In his New York Times bestseller The Body Keeps the Score, author Bessel van der Kolk shares how trauma reshapes the anatomy and brain, and reveals paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.

 

Please look for resources within these pages that can guide you on your journey to uncover and heal trauma as we all strive to feel good, live simply and laugh more.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.