You are a distinct and intricate human machine.
You need physical, mental, and emotional support systems to help you sustain good health, emotional stability, and personal strength.
Protecting oneself and healing from traumatic experiences are vital skills for everyone. Given the ongoing political, social, and civil turmoil in various parts of the world, cultivating sequential thinking is important. This method aids in preparing for trauma or stress and provides us with the means to process and recover from these events. Moreover, our personal histories include traumatic instances that shape our natural responses to stress.
Humans have three responses to stress: Fight, Flight, or Play Dead, which involves a Numbing reaction. Each of these responses triggers a stress reaction in the body. Chemicals such as cortisol inundate the body's tissues, activating the nervous system and creating a heightened emotional state. The body's temperature increases, muscles tense, and the heart rate accelerates. If a person stays in this heightened state even after the stressor is gone, the body starts to function less efficiently, potentially leading to muscular discomfort and/or illness.
The study of Epigenetics highlights the ancestral knowledge embedded within our DNA. For instance, in one person's ancestral line, those who adopted the Fight Response tended to live longer than those who did not. In another lineage, individuals who used the Flight Response outlived those who didn't, while in a different lineage, those who employed the Play Dead or Numbing Response had greater longevity than those who did not. Although we are all human, our mental processes, emotional reactions, and physical responses can vary from person to person. Imagine three individuals experiencing a home invasion: one confronts the intruder (Fight response), another flees quickly (Flight response), and the third hides, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible (Play Dead). Each response can be appropriate at different times for different individuals and might have a genetic basis for being someone's instinctive reaction. However, it's crucial to recognize that following our instincts doesn't always lead to positive outcomes. We need to take the time to introspect and genuinely understand our instincts in response to stress and intense negative situations.
When considering trauma and the regulation or upkeep of the nervous system, it's crucial to organize your thoughts and actions in a sequence. Sequencing offers a way to return to homeostasis and can be viewed as a series of steps to prepare for and navigate through traumatic experiences.
Step 1. Preparation. Just as you get ready for work each day, you need to prepare to confront your trauma. In preparing for your workday, you might follow a routine: dressing up, brushing your teeth, having breakfast, etc. Similarly, when getting ready to face your trauma, focus on and try to understand what your instincts and inherited wisdom suggest while staying present in the moment. Ensure that whatever action you choose, whether it's to Fight, Flee, or Play dead to escape the pain, is truly the best for you.
Step 2. Beginning. At the initial stages of confronting your trauma, you might feel a range of emotions such as anger, confusion, sadness, or even guilt. It is crucial to sit with these emotions and give yourself the time to comprehend what you are experiencing.
Step 3. Middle. At this point, you are deeply involved in confronting your trauma. This phase can be draining. You might feel both physically and emotionally fatigued. The feeling of stress
Step 4. Ending. Your active engagement in dealing with the trauma is now over. You may feel extremely tired. You may feel a sense of hopelessness. You may wonder, what you have accomplished. You may wonder what you have learned. You may feel anger. You may wonder if what you’ve said or not said, done or not done has any bearing on anything. This is normal. This is okay.
Step 5. Integration. This is the moment to gain insight from your experience. It's time to apply everything you've learned. It's also the time to let go of the pain linked to your traumatic experience. There must be an understanding that you no longer need to hold onto it. Be patient during this step—it might take a moment or several months to years.
We frequently remain unaware of the challenges our neighbors endure. Many people are caught in the aftermath of trauma and seek an appropriate solution that aligns with their needs. It is essential to be patient with each other, and since we have only one body and mind, it's crucial to remember to be patient with ourselves as well.
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