Healing trauma is a process of restoring balance to the nervous system from "summary" of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine,Ph.D.
Healing trauma is like a journey through the inner world, a quest to restore equilibrium to the nervous system. When we experience trauma, our bodies react in ways that are beyond our control. Our nervous system goes into overdrive, flooded with stress hormones that keep us in a state of high alert. This heightened state of arousal can become our new normal, leading to a host of physical and emotional symptoms.
To truly heal from trauma, we must address the root cause of our distress – the dysregulation of our nervous system. This dysregulation is like a glitch in the system, causing our bodies to get stuck in a state of hyperarousal or hypoarousal. We may feel constantly on edge, ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice. Or we may feel numb and disconnected, as if we are just going through the motions of life.
Restoring balance to the nervous system requires us to reestablish a sense of safety and security within ourselves. We must learn to listen to our bodies, to tune in to the subtle signals that tell us when we are feeling overwhelmed or triggered. By developing a greater awareness of our internal state, we can begin to regulate our nervous system and calm the storm of trauma that rages within us.
Through practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, and body-based therapies, we can learn to soothe our nervous system and restore a sense of equilibrium. These practices help us to release the pent-up energy of trauma stored in our bodies, allowing us to move through the healing process at our own pace. As we gradually reconnect with ourselves and our bodies, we can begin to feel more grounded, present, and alive.
Healing trauma is not a linear process, but rather a journey of ups and downs, twists and turns. It requires patience, persistence, and self-compassion. By honoring our body's innate wisdom and capacity for healing, we can gradually restore balance to our nervous system and reclaim our sense of wholeness.
