Acknowledging the Past
Trauma affects everyone differently and has a significant impact on our bodies. Trauma causes our body to produce adrenaline and cortisol hormones that activate our 'fight, flight, or freeze survival strategies. Trauma can even change one’s brain structure which can contribute to one's behavior, physical health, and mental health.
People who experience trauma develop their coping mechanisms, most of which are usually labeled as 'health risk behaviors. And that if left unacknowledged may contribute more to one's negative reaction to trauma.
Many studies have shown that past traumas are directly connected to major public health problems we face today. These health conditions are partially a result of unhealthy coping mechanisms and an overactive stress response in the body; oftentimes activated by day-to-day work expectations, family relationships, uncertainty, and lack of proper support.
In our previous blog post, we discussed how taking a glimpse into our past experiences can unlock and uncover the root cause of present-day challenges. The next step is to acknowledge the impact of those past traumas and how it shows up in your work, and family, and acknowledge how we choose to deal with it.
Here are a few questions we encourage you to reflect on today:
What are the things that really bother me or cause me to react in an unpleasant way?
How often are these things happening while working?
Which past experiences are these connected to?
How does this impact my family and those around me?
How am I dealing with it?
Answering these questions puts things in perspective, increasing self-awareness, which improves one's ability to work with others. We are a sum of all that we have experienced but we do not have to be bound by or defined by our experiences.
Acknowledging the past, which we are often told to forget, actually creates a pathway forward and an opportunity to learn. Behavior is not always a reflection of our character; it can also be a result of an experience. Knowing the difference is key to wellness.
we understand the connection between past trauma and its impact on your present-day life and how it shows up in your work life.
Visit our website to learn more about Trauma Informed Institute, LLC.