Dorsal Vagal Shutdown or The Freeze Response

Nervous System, Self Care Practices, Trauma

I spent much of my life in a state of dorsal vagal shutdown with a lot of forced participation in life. I participated in life but I didn’t really have the capacity to feel it. My capacity for enjoyment, happiness and excitement was impaired by my systems tendency...

Waking up with Anxiety

Nervous System, Self Care Practices, Trauma

I woke up with anxiety this morning. Some people refer to anxiety as a disorder but I see it as a natural response to life experiences that were or are overwhelming. For those of us who grew up in homes that were unsafe; that lacked nurturing and a foundation that...

Start Your Day by Making Less Effort

Nervous System, Presence, Self Care Practices

I start each day by making minimum effort.  My system loves the familiarity of simple tasks like turning the heat up, opening the curtains, looking outside in the yard , making coffee and feeding the cat.  I ease slowly into my day.  Before I settle on the couch with...

Bridging the Gap

Nervous System, Spiritual Awakening, Trauma

Spirituality was mostly a mental preoccupation for me until I understood the impact of trauma on my physiology.  I used spirituality the way some people use drugs.  An attempt to numb the pain.  Always reaching for the next high.  The next realization.  The next...

The Underworld

Nervous System, Trauma

When strong emotions like anger or rage are exiled into the underworld of our psyche they only get stronger and more persistent.  They demand to be expressed.  They have a right to be expressed.  Anger and rage are an essential part of our nature, rooted deep within...