How to Watch the Wisdom of Trauma
We live in a world where we’re constantly exposed to images of trauma. Whether it’s from a plane crash, violent crime, terrorist attack, global pandemic or natural disaster, repeated exposure can overwhelm our nervous system and create traumatic stress.
Watching the wisdom of trauma is an essential skill to cultivate if you’re struggling with a mental health crisis, addiction or physical health issue.
1. Listen to your body
When trauma occurs, the body reacts to it with a series of physical and emotional symptoms. These can include fear, anxiety, shock, and anger or aggression. These responses are normal, but can also leave a lasting impact on the way a person lives their life.
Listening to your body can help you to notice and respond to the messages it sends. When you do this, you will begin to recognize and trust your body’s wisdom.
You can do this by simply taking a moment here and there to close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and ask your body how you are feeling right now. Then, listen and believe the answers you receive.
If you have questions about what you’re feeling, it can be helpful to use an online symptom checker or health reference. These can give you more information about what’s going on and will help you to connect with a doctor if needed.
Your body is a powerful and wise guide, and it’s always sending you messages. If you learn how to listen to these signals, you can become more aware of what your body needs and begin to understand how to use them to improve your health.
One way to practice this is by focusing on your breathing with each movement you do. You can do this in the morning, before you get out of bed or before you go to sleep. You can also do it when you’re doing a physical activity, like lifting weights or running.
Listening to your body is an important part of the healing process, and it can be a powerful tool for recognizing and responding to the negative emotions that can result from trauma. It can also help you recognize and address the physical symptoms that can come with chronic stress or anxiety.
2. Breathe
The lungs are a pair of spongy pinkish-gray organs in your chest. When you breathe in, air is pushed into the alveoli (the air sacs of the lungs) and oxygen enters your blood. The oxygen makes your muscles and organs work better. The lungs also get rid of the waste gases that are produced when you breathe out, such as carbon dioxide.
The process of breathing is a complex one. The main muscle that drives the process is the diaphragm, which divides your chest from your abdomen and contracts when you breathe in, pulling your lungs down and expanding them. The diaphragm reverts to a dome shape when you exhale, reducing the amount of air in your lungs and keeping them functioning efficiently.
Several scientific studies have shown that breathing is an important and effective way to cope with stressful events. It can even make a traumatic event feel less threatening.
A PLACE TO BREATHE is available to stream through the Wexner Center for the Arts and Good Docs and will soon be released on DVD. Check out the press coverage or contact us to learn how we can help bring this film to your community. We look forward to sharing this film with you! A PLACE TO BREATHE is the brainchild of director and producer Michelle Grace Steinberg. She has a background in integrative medicine and is passionate about sharing knowledge, leveraging new technologies, and cultivating an inclusive and welcoming culture of health. She is available for workshops, talks, and speaking engagements.
3. Ask for help
In response to traumatic experiences, our bodies and brains are programmed to initiate a "fight or flight" reaction. This response, mediated by a hormone called cortisol and a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, is our body's way of responding to danger in order to protect us from it.
But when we're stressed out and feel that our body and brain are under attack, our coping mechanisms may not be enough. That's why it is so important to ask for help.
If you don't know where to start, talk to a trusted family member or friend. They can listen to you without judging you and help you understand what you are experiencing.
Another important thing to do when you're feeling overwhelmed is to make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep. It is crucial that your body and mind have the time to rest after a traumatic experience so you can better manage your emotions.
The Bible says that wisdom is the "appropriate application of knowledge." In other words, it's the ability to know what is true and apply it to our lives in a way that makes our lives better. If you are struggling with trauma, it is important to seek help and watch the wisdom of the situation.
4. Claim your agency
The best part of watching the Wisdom of Trauma is that you get to do so at your own pace. You can watch it at home, work, or on the go. Whether you are in the market for some education on trauma or are simply interested in the neuroscience behind human experience, this documentary is bound to leave you feeling more informed and empowered about your own wellbeing.
You can watch it now through Aug 1st on your desktop, tablet or phone (see below). It’s FREE to stream. It is a must-watch for parents, educators, health care providers and anyone else curious about the latest in brain science. It’s a well-crafted and well-told story about how the human brain works in the face of trauma and illness.
5. Let go
The wisdom of trauma is a journey that helps you transform the painful experiences of your past into something new. Trauma is a type of pain that can hold us back and prevent us from living life to its fullest potential. It may be a result of past abuse, a relationship that was broken, or a mistake you made in the past. Letting go of the trauma can be hard, but it’s one of the most essential practices you’ll ever learn if you want to live in alignment with your highest self. Whether you are dealing with physical or emotional trauma, these quotes can be a guide to help you let go of old patterns and emotions that are holding you back from moving forward.
