Why embodied practise is so important when healing trauma?

You may have noticed that I speak often on my posts, stories and Q&As about creating a list of resources to use throughout your day when in hyperarousal states (anxiety, stress, agitation etc...) or while noticing hypoarousal (depression, low energy, fatigue etc...). 

I also suggest to use these resources throughout the day, even when you are not noticing increased activation. 

This simple practice helps you get used to pausing and attuning to your body. Adding moments of regulation to your day.

When we fail to listen to the body, constantly avoiding using our resources, the healing journey can get much more difficult than it needs to be. 

Regulation at the nervous system level, building capacity, is the base work. We can only deal with the deepest layers of unprocessed emotions when we have enough capacity in the system. 

What do I mean by “embodied practice”? 
I mean you physically practice them. 

For instance, if walking in the park is on your list of resources when feeling anxious; you literally get up and go for your walk as soon as you notice anxiety creeping in. You try using your resources as much as it is humanly possible. If walking in the park conflicts with your schedule, then you will turn to another item on your list that is possible at the time. 

Allowing moments of rest and having a solid practice with your resources is what will facilitate integration at the deepest level for you. 

Save this post as an important reminder.