Managing the Stress Response from Historic Trauma

Recent events in my life have made me stop and think about how the past has affected the way I respond to stress and how important it is that I not only listen to my body, but actively take the time to engage in practices which help me to relax. So, I thought it might be useful to explore this in my blog.

Historic trauma can make dealing with everyday stress really challenging, because your body and mind often reacts more strongly to things that remind you, even subconsciously, of those past traumas.

Imagine your body’s like a car alarm that goes off too easily. In the same way that an overly sensitive car alarm can be set off by a loud noise, people experiencing historic trauma can have a stress response to situations that don’t seem stressful to others. This constant state of vigilance can be exhausting and debilitating, making everyday life more challenging - especially if you’re trying to avoid these situations.

There are tools that can help us handle this kind of deep-seated stress. If you think of your body as a smart tool that can help you calm down and feel better, there are techniques that help you to tune into your bodily sensations and learn to regulate your nervous system’s response to stress By focusing on the physical sensations that accompany emotions, rather than on the traumatic event itself, you can start to release the energy trapped in the body due to historic trauma.

One way to do this is through exercises that make you more aware of your body, like Yoga, Qui Gong or Tai Chi. These activities can help you notice where you're holding tension and learn how to relax those areas. It's a bit like learning to listen to what your body needs in order to feel calm and safe. Other practices which can help you to do this include Mindfulness, Meditation and Sophrology,

Breathing exercises are a great tool in themselves and are often incorporated into the above practices. By changing the way you breathe, you can actually tell your body to relax. It's like flipping a switch from being super alert and ready to run or fight; to feeling more chilled and okay to just be. Effectively, you are helping to regulate your autonomic nervous system, shifting the body from a state of fight or flight to one of rest and digest.

Using these techniques doesn't fix everything overnight. It's more about practicing them regularly so you gradually start to feel a difference. Think of it as training for your body and mind to respond to stress in a new way. It's not about getting rid of negative feelings but building a stronger connection with yourself so that you feel more in control. Importantly, it also contributes to increasing your resilience to stress in the long-term.

It can be helpful to remember that although the weight of historic trauma can make life's stresses feel heavier; there are ways to lighten that load. By tuning into your body and practicing techniques that help manage stress; you can start to heal from the inside out. It's about taking small steps towards feeling better, more connected, and empowered in your own life.

If you, or someone you know has been impacted by reading this and would like to explore working with me, click below to book a free 30 minute video call

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