How trauma can affect your health
Apr 24, 2023
Ever hear someone say, “I know what to do, I’m just not doing it”? Or maybe you’ve said it yourself?
In my days of constant yo-yo dieting and following exercise protocols that claimed I’d see crazy results in just 21 days, I used to say it too.
We all know the basics - drink more water, eat more vegetables, get in more movement. So what’s the problem? Why is it that so many of us have the issue of following through and sticking to it?
The truth is, diet protocols, exercise plans, cutting out whatever food is being criticized for the month in diet culture… none of it matters if you haven’t found safety in your body. The positive effects won’t last if you’re building on a dysregulated nervous system and you haven’t gotten to the roots of it.
Many times, we self-sabotage because we don’t feel safe, even if the goals we’re aiming for are good for us. This is because our nervous systems are designed to keep us alive. Familiarity is safe, regardless of what that familiarity looks like (ie. bingeing TV, food, drinking, etc…) It’s familiar, therefore safe.
According to SAMHSA, trauma is “An event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Basically, trauma occurs when something happens too fast, too soon, and is too much for the nervous system to handle. It creates a stress response in the body, and for good reason - the body is trying to protect you. However, some people can get stuck in their response, or start to form a pattern of responding the same way in the future. It’s also important to note that trauma is in the meaning that we assign to events, and it affects everyone differently.
How does trauma apply to your healing and reaching your health goals?
First of all, trauma is more common than you may think. One survey found that over 70% of the general population in 24 different countries experienced a traumatic event.
And that’s just what’s been reported.
For me personally, I self-sabotaged because I subconsciously wanted to hide. The little girl in me didn’t want to be seen because she was scared of what that attention would bring (more on my story another time). She was stuck in that pattern, even though older me so desperately wanted to feel good about her body and be in the spotlight.
This pattern even spiraled into my business - I held myself back out of fear of an attack. I still had parts in me that didn’t feel safe stepping into the spotlight and being fully seen.
The questions you should be asking yourself are:
- What are the building blocks that you’re building these habits on top of?
- Is it a dysregulated nervous system that is bound to break down, or is it a solid foundation with all parts of you in alignment with your goals?
- Are those past versions of you on board, or is there some healing that still needs to happen?
Healing those parts can be a scary thing, and it sure as hell doesn’t happen overnight. I still have a tendency to hide. The win is in recognizing those parts of me and holding them with compassion, instead of beating myself up for not having the willpower and motivation to succeed. I can better understand why I know what to do and I’m not doing it, and then move forward gently.
Healing happens in safety. When moving towards your goals, it’s important to work with and surround yourself with people who make you feel safe.
If you need help doing this, I’d love to be that person for you. I always offer a free Connection Call so that we can both decide if we are a good and safe fit. If we aren’t, I probably know someone who is better suited.
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