Releasing Trauma In The Body

 
 
 

The body keeps the score alright - for me it’s my belly, specifically on the left side just below my belly button.  Deep trauma that gets triggered when I eat the wrong foods (or too much), when I stretch, when I work out my core and when I’m having body dysmorphia issues.

It gets triggered when it gets unexpectedly touched.

The body keeps the score and at times it has a mind of its own: panic attacks and other symptoms occur out of my control in reaction to an external event (sound, sight, smell etc) or internal event (thoughts, memories, emotions).

If you resonate, I offer the following advice for what helps me:

  • Daily meditation, with a focus on present state awareness, mindfulness, as well as loving kindness (to self and others)

  • Writing/artistic expression

  • Exercise (any is good) but make sure you are safe - physically and mentally. If trauma issues, ensure that where you trained isn’t triggering and ideally is trauma informed

  • Therapy with a person cantered, trauma informed facilitator who won’t rush your healing

  • Support, reaching out for and accepting help is hard, but a must. Talk. Share. Connect. Laugh. Play.

  • Trust that you can heal and reintegrate - even if progress is slow

Please connect if you want further suggestions or a response to a complex and often misunderstood issue.

 
 
 
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Zachary Phillips

Zachary Phillips is a poet, author, mental health advocate, and mindset coach. In these roles he has helped thousands of people move from a place of surviving to passionately thriving.

He is the author of 17 books, teaches on Skillshare, Insight Timer, and Udemy, hosts the Reality Check podcast, and is the creator of the Ask A Poet YouTube channel.

He is a qualified teacher, personal trainer, life long martial artist & coach, disability support worker, Reiki master, and is currently studying a Master of Counselling.