Understanding Trauma and Bringing Self-compassion and Love

Understanding Trauma and Bringing Self-compassion and Love
Most people have experienced some trauma. To make matters worse, they are isolated relationally and emotionally. The benefits of authentically connecting with others are endless. Understanding what trauma does to the soul helps us understand how to heal ourselves and others. Trauma affects the thinking, mind, and emotions—trauma happens when we experience spiritual, physical, or emotional harm or even life-threatening events. Our body’s ability to cope is overwhelmed. Even though the event passes, trauma has lasting adverse effects on a person’s mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Most of us experience trauma at some time in our lifetime - it’s essential to understand what trauma does to the brain to be able to heal and minimize life-long adverse effects. Trauma effectively imprints stressful events in the brain. The memory is stored in the brain to ensure you do not find yourself in this dangerous situation again. However, the amygdala doesn’t save the event as if it is a story – but it is stored as fragments of visual images, smells, sounds, tastes, or touches. Self-compassion and self-love are the prerequisites for healing and empowerment.