Trauma can affect our minds, bodies and emotions in ways that aren’t always easy to understand.  Learning a little about what trauma is, and why we may respond the way we do, can be an important part of healing.

This is a subject that is very close to my heart, both professionally and personally.

Over the years, I’ve come to understand just how confusing and isolating trauma can feel, and how much courage it can take to reach out for support.

I’ve also seen how understanding trauma can become an important part of healing. I know, from personal experience, that beginning counselling can feel daunting. Taking that first step isn’t easy, but it can be the beginning of healing, change and a new chapter.

If you are looking to understand trauma, whether for yourself or someone you care about, I hope this helps make a little more sense of what you may be experiencing and perhaps, a little more sense of yourself.

When many people hear the word trauma, they often think of major events such as war, serious accidents or natural disasters. While experiences like these can certainly be traumatic, trauma isn’t defined by the event alone.

Trauma is about how an overwhelming experience affects us and the way our mind and body respond to protect us.

Have you ever wondered why your body reacts before your mind has had chance to catch up?

Why your heart suddenly races…

Why a particular smell, sound or place leaves you feeling unsettled…

Why you become exhausted, even when nothing obvious has happened…

Or why you always seem to be on alert, waiting for something to go wrong.

Trauma can affect far more than our memories.

It can influence the way we experience everyday life.

Our brains are designed to keep us safe.  A small part of our brain called the “Amygdala” acts like an alarm system.  It is scanning for signs of danger.  When it senses a threat, it can trigger our survival responses before we even have time to think

When the alarm system senses danger, our nervous system responds automatically. It prepares us to fight, flight or sometimes to freeze.

Many people think these are choices.

They aren’t.

They’re survival responses.

Your nervous system is making decisions long before your thinking mind has had chance to catch up.

At the time, these responses may have helped keep you safe.

The difficulty is that sometimes they continue long after the danger has passed.

That can leave people asking,

“Why am I like this?”

or

“Why can’t I just move on?”

These are questions I hear often.

Perhaps a kinder question is,

“What was my mind and body trying to protect me from?”

Sometimes, asking ourselves that question can change the way we see ourselves.

Instead of feeling broken…

We begin to recognise that our mind and body have been doing what they believed was necessary to help us survive.

Understanding this doesn’t take away what happened.

But it can begin to replace self-blame with self-compassion.

Healing isn’t only about understanding what happened.

It’s also about gradually helping our mind and body experience safety again.

That looks different for everyone.

For some people, it’s talking with someone they trust.

For others, it’s counselling.

Some people find gentle breathing helpful.

Others find grounding exercises, mindful awareness or gentle movement helps them reconnect with the present moment.

There isn’t one right way to heal.

The important thing is finding what feels safe and supportive for you.

Before we finish, I’d like to leave you with one gentle thing to try.

The next time you notice yourself feeling overwhelmed, see if you can pause for just a moment.

Notice the feeling of your feet resting on the floor.

Notice the how the chair is supporting your body

Allow yourself one slow, comfortable breath.

Then gently look around and notice five things you can see.

You don’t need to force yourself to feel calm.

You’re simply reminding your mind and body that, in this moment, you are safe.

Sometimes healing begins with moments like these.

Healing often begins one gentle step at a time.

If there’s one thing I’d like you to remember from today, it’s this. 

Trauma may have shaped part of your story, but it does not define who you are.

With understanding, compassion and the right support, healing is possible. 

If you would prefer to watch or listen, you can also find my video, Trauma: It’s Not Who You Are on the Mosaic Counselling YouTube channel.

Mosaic Counselling
Piecing Lives Together 🌿