Self Healing Journey

In my own experience navigating a self healing journey, I found that understanding the nervous system’s role was a game changer. Often, even when our lives have changed for the better, our nervous system can stay stuck in a survival mode, reacting to subtle triggers like a change in tone or a phrase like “we need to talk.” This happens because, historically, these cues may have signaled danger and our bodies learned to prepare for the worst. What’s fascinating is how the body ‘remembers’ these reactions long after the triggering situations have passed. This concept is well illustrated in Bessel van der Kolk’s book, "The Body Keeps the Score," which highlights how trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, not just the mind. During my healing process, I noticed that small emotional shifts or sensory inputs could generate an outsized stress response — a kind of ‘false alarm’ set off by my nervous system. Becoming aware of these patterns allowed me to practice grounding techniques and mindfulness strategies to gently retrain my system, helping it realize that those old dangers are no longer present. If you find yourself reacting strongly to seemingly minor cues, it’s important to be kind to yourself. This response is a sign that your nervous system is still adapting. Techniques such as breathwork, somatic experiencing, or working with a trauma-informed therapist can aid in helping your nervous system transition out of survival mode. Remember, healing is not linear. It often involves re-training your body’s instinctive responses to align with your current safe experiences. By recognizing that your nervous system might still be living in survival mode, you acknowledge a crucial step toward deeper healing and lasting peace.