Stress & Trauma
Take a moment and think about the word “stress”. Just notice what comes to mind…
Relationships? Job? Finances? Thoughts that keep you up at night?
Now, think about the word “trauma”. Notice what comes to mind next…
Car accident? Terminal health conditions? Death? The skeletons packed away in the dark corners of your mind?
Many consider stress and trauma to be significantly different. Yet, understanding our nervous systems demonstrates both can have significant impacts, especially in regard to chronic stress and recurrences of traumatic experiences. But let’s take a look at the actual definitions.
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“Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.”
Source: World Health Organization. (n.d.). Stress. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress
Examples: managing daily life and associated responsibilities, changes within employment, meeting expectations of others, financial hardships, or becoming a parent.
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“Any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.
Traumatic events include those caused by human behavior (e.g., rape, war, industrial accidents) as well as by nature (e.g., earthquakes) and often challenge an individual’s view of the world as a just, safe, and predictable place. any serious physical injury, such as a widespread burn or a blow to the head.”
Source: APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Trauma. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/
Additional examples: death of loved one, disparaging remarks, criticism, emotional abuse, racism, homophobia, sexism, classism, tears in social fabric which affect a group of people who have a reach a degree of unity, bullying, and emotional abuse.
So while stress is normal and trauma can be unavoidable, attempting to discern what is normal stress verses chronic stress or trauma can lead us to invalidate our experiences and prevent us from getting the support we need.
Overly stressed nervous systems can impact development and functioning, impeding our efforts to connect and reach our full potential in a multitude of areas. Chronic stress, reoccurring adverse or traumatic experiences, or a stand-alone traumatic incident can manifest in unlimited ways: fatigue, irritability, sleep issues, poor self-esteem or self-worth, pervasive feelings of anxiety, depression and disconnection, inflexible thinking, and protective patterns that hinder more than help are just a few ways stress can rob you of thriving.
If you’re struggling to get through the day or week, trapped in flight-fight-freeze-fawning response cycles, or unable to shake the impacts of past experiences, you may be navigating a overly stressed nervous system.
When we listen to the signs of distress and allow ourselves to seek a space where we can explore on our pain points, we are opened to the opportunity to understand and ultimately grow and heal. The goal is not an absence of stress or trauma, but rather the skills to navigate it.
I have first-hand experience of the importance of body-based interventions and incorporating trauma-, neuroscience- and nervous system-informed approaches to support both the mind and body and help you achieving wellness and thriving. I’d love to work with you to understand the ways you can heal from adverse experiences or trauma and better navigate the stressors in your life.