Embodiment: Heal from Trauma
Because our bodies are where we experience life —including the pain of life—it makes sense that we often distance ourselves from these difficult parts of being a body. For many of us, this disconnection runs deep—it's a protective strategy that our bodies employ to keep us safe. Trauma (whether from a single event or ongoing chronic stress) can lead us to dissociate from our physical selves as a way to survive overwhelming emotions and sensations.
When we experience trauma, our nervous system goes into overdrive, flooding our bodies with stress hormones and triggering the fight, flight, or freeze response. The goal of these bodily reactions is to help you be a alert enough to respond to the danger and get to safety. But when the “danger” is ongoing, such as in cases of abuse, bullying, lack of appropriate care, our systems can get stuck in threat-mode. This can contribute to chronic pain, illness, and other forms of bodily distress.
Here are some ways trauma can disembody us:
1. Dissociation: Dissociation is a common response to trauma, where we disconnect from our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations as a way to protect ourselves from overwhelming experiences. This can manifest as feeling numb, detached, or shut down.
2. Hyperarousal and Hypoarousal: Trauma can dysregulate our nervous system, leading to states of hyperarousal (feeling on edge, anxious, or irritable) or hypoarousal (feeling numb, lethargic, or disconnected). These states can make it difficult to stay present in our bodies.
3. Chronic Pain and Illness: Trauma can manifest in physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and illness. This is because the body holds onto unresolved trauma, leading to somatic complaints that further reinforce the sense of disconnection.
4. Avoidance of Bodily Sensations: To avoid triggering memories or emotions associated with trauma, we may learn to disconnect from bodily sensations altogether. This can lead to a lack of awareness of our own physical needs and boundaries.
So, how can we begin to reconnect with ourselves and heal from trauma through embodiment?
1. Pause: Take time to pause and check in with yourself —perhaps each time you wake up, or at other times throughout your day. Notice how you're feeling physically and emotionally, and practice curiosity about the feelings, rather than judgment.
2. Work on Grounding Your Body: Grounding practices, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and somatic attunement, can help anchor you in the present moment and reconnect you with your body.
3. Seek Support: Healing from trauma is not something you have to do alone. Consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma-informed care. They can provide support, validation, and guidance as you navigate your healing journey.
4. Engage in Body-Centered Practices to Befriend Your Body: Explore body-centered practices such as yoga, tai chi, dance, or somatic experiencing. These types of activities can help you reclaim a sense of power and agency in your body, as well as appreciating how your body has served you.
Remember, healing from trauma is a process, and it's okay to take things one step at a time. By embracing embodiment and reconnecting with ourselves, we can begin to attend to the wounds of the past and pursue non-reactivity and resilience in the present.
Thank you for reading!
Kat
