Trauma is something we often think of as negative and associate with pain or an accident but it can also be an energy or imprint of a stressful event that we store throughout the body.
It’s important to be aware of our traumatic experiences and the affect this might take on us. Understanding how trauma can manifest is the first step in freeing ourselves from it.
Some of us fail to recognise the signs our traumas because we consider only big, heavy and really disturbing events to be traumatic. However, trauma comes in many various forms and over the years your micro-traumas can mount up and be amplified.
We tend to store trauma in the body. Sometimes it’s obvious, like muscle tension, migraines, tightness, gut health issues and breakouts. Trauma can manifest in chronic illness flareups, and it can also hang out in our fascia, our heart and our minds.
What is emotional trauma?
Emotional trauma is an experience that leaves a lasting impact on our psyche and emotional well-being. It goes beyond mere discomfort or temporary sadness; it cuts deep into our core, shaping our perceptions and reactions.
Emotional trauma can result from various sources, such as abuse, loss, or witnessing a distressing event. It manifests differently for each individual, often leading to feelings of fear, anxiety, or a sense of being overwhelmed.
Furthermore, emotional trauma can linger within us, affecting our relationships, self-esteem, and overall mental health.
Recognizing and addressing emotional trauma is crucial for healing and reclaiming a sense of inner peace and resilience.
What are the emotional symptoms of trauma?
Symptoms of emotional trauma can manifest in numerous ways, impacting our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
These signs are not always overt and can vary from person to person. Common symptoms include persistent feelings of anxiety, fear, or a constant sense of being on edge.
Emotional trauma may also lead to recurrent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or flashbacks related to the traumatic event. Other indicators include mood swings, emotional numbness, difficulty concentrating, or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Physical symptoms can emerge too, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues.
Understanding these symptoms is crucial in recognizing and addressing emotional trauma for healing and recovery.
Here are five ways you can release emotional trauma from your body
Acupuncture
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on your body with acupuncture needles or pressure; this relieves obstructions in the flow of energy and enables the body to heal. By stimulating specific points on the body using acupuncture needles or pressure, this technique helps restore the flow of energy and facilitates emotional release.
Acupuncture sessions can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore and process their emotions. By targeting these energy points, acupuncture can help release blockages and stagnant energy associated with emotional trauma. As the energy flow is restored, individuals may experience a sense of release, relaxation, and a gradual easing of emotional burdens.
Acupuncture can be a valuable tool in the journey towards emotional healing and well-being.
You can book acupuncture treatment at Healthful Wellness here
CranioSacral Treatments
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive modality that seeks to find and treat restrictions throughout the body’s CranioSacral systems.
Restrictions within these systems can lead to tension patterns or affect the functioning of all bodily systems, including the musculoskeletal, endocrine, cardio-respiratory, gastrointestinal, lymphatic, immune and reproductive systems.
Once the craniosacral system is free from restriction and the cerebrospinal fluid achieves an optimal flow, you will regain a freely moving brain, spinal cord, and fascial web, and the body is better able to heal and balance itself.
You can book a CranioSacral treatment at Healthful Wellness here.
Cry it out
Why is it that we are encouraged not to cry? We must be ‘brave’ or hold it in. But how many times have you cried and felt so much lighter and better for it?
Embrace the tears, whether they be gentle ones that leak from the corner of your eyes or you let go with the big ugly cry; just let it out. Remember, tears are emotions; if this emotion has fear or pain, it is better out than stored inside you as trauma.
Whether it's shedding gentle tears or letting out a full-blown, cathartic cry, releasing these pent-up emotions can provide a profound sense of lightness and healing.
Tears express our emotions; by allowing them to flow, we release the fear and pain stored within us as trauma. So, go ahead, embrace the tears, and let them wash away the burden of emotional trauma.
Flex with yoga
Ahhh, we can feel so tight and locked up with muscle tension which can sometimes be the manifestation of stored trauma energy.
Yoga is excellent for finding balance and alignment in your body, something we all strive for in many areas and different ways. With yoga, you can surprisingly be in a specific pose on the mat and ‘unlock’ palpable emotion.
Yoga's focus on breath, movement, and mindfulness allows us to connect with our bodies and tap into the emotions held within.
Go with it.
Meditation and Relaxation
Meditation offers numerous benefits, such as a peaceful mind, reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, improved problem-solving skills, heightened self-awareness, increased creativity, a broader perspective, enhanced tolerance and patience, and better overall health.
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, our heart rate is slowed, blood pressure is lowered, our digestion functions optimally, and our breathing is calm and regulated. The more time we spend in this state, the healthier we are.
Deep breathing exercises and relaxation music further enhance this process, allowing us to release tension and emotional burdens.
Embracing meditation and relaxation as daily practices supports our journey of releasing emotional trauma and cultivating inner peace.
