Written by: Kathryn Cluff, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Whether you are recovering from a traumatic event in life or a life of traumatic events, healing takes more than just time. Intention is the catalyst for rehabilitation and fuel for transformation and growth.
Most of us have experienced difficult events that have thrown life out of balance. Emotional, sexual and/or physical abuse, neglect, divorce, death, chronic illness, debilitating injury have an intense impact. Such incidents can rock our world and send the mind and body into stress response. But there are less obvious triggers such as underlying tension at work, at home, in relationships, and with finances. Things that simmer on the back burner tend to be stressors that we tell ourselves we can live with. The bottom line is that we all experience stress to some degree, at various times, and know how it feels.
Here is the rub, the nervous system’s response is the same regardless of the source of the stress. Whether one or several traumatic event(s), mentally replaying the past or creating stories about the future, not addressing those irritations that continually simmer – when homeostasis is disrupted and a threat is detected, the stress response kicks in. A combination of nerves and hormones signal the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. The bloodstream is flooded with glucose. Digestion slows or ceases. Blood pressure and heart rate increase. Breathing becomes quick and shallow. Cognitive abilities such as decision making are impaired. The immune system is muted. You get the picture. The body is prepared for fight, flight, or freeze and all other functions become low priority.
By design, this state of nervous system arousal is intended to be temporary as a means to survive immediate danger. Living in a regular and prolonged state of stress can be devastating mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We may become fatigued, anxious, depressed, experience chronic pain and have a high sensitivity to further stress no matter how minor the stimulus. A few other issues are an increased susceptibility to illness, insomnia, headaches, diabetes, and weight gain.
And finally, here is the good news! There are effective, holistic solutions to lessen and even overcome the impact of chronic stress. If you are looking for a quick fix or a pill to create the perception of wellness, the remainder of this article will be disappointing. On the other hand, if you are looking for true, lasting change and are willing to put in the effort, please hear me out.
Setting an intention to move out of the perpetual and habitual cycle of stress can slow and eventually release the sustained, and often stored, energetic responses. Intentions are affirmations for change. They can be positive or negative and here, we are focusing on the positive! Intention supports a holistic shift toward what you want when it is given the combined energy of thought and action. In short, you are shifting your focus to the life you want and thereby moving away from what you do not want. Have you heard the saying, “Energy flows where attention goes?” Set an intention that describes what you truly desire in present tense as if it has already happened. Give it your attention. Write it down. Speak it often. Here is a simple example:
Intention: I am healthy, vibrant, and creative. I live a life of abundance in every way.
Setting intentions will bring clarity for your life. Add small, consistent action steps over time for a sure way to move trauma through the body. It is the first step – the catalyst – to healing. When paired with time, it is a powerful practice for transformation and growth. As you refine this process – keeping what works and releasing what does not – you will transform your thoughts and behaviors, and step into your innate powers of healing and creation.
Kathryn Cluff, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kathryn Cluff is a gifted holistic healer and empowering life-transformation guide for women. She is the solopreneur of Soul Roots, LLC, based in the sacred Black Hills and serves clients virtually throughout the world.
At the age of 30, she became a widow and single mother of four children under the age of 8. Kathryn struggled for years with anxiety, and at one point considered suicide. It was nearly 20 years later when she reached that pivotal, rock-bottom point and made the decision to begin her journey of healing, self-love, and empowered living.
Kathryn’s signature Habits that Heal Hearts & Empower Women Program combines holistic arts and research-based practices, moving progressively through a process that equips women with powerful rituals proven to bring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. It is based on her own life-changing journey, personal practices, training in multiple styles of healing yoga and meditation, and as a Reiki practitioner. She is passionate about teaching as many women as possible how to heal themselves by calming the nervous system and reprogramming their inner dialogue from self-judgment to self-compassion and self-love.
Kathryn is committed to helping women live in harmony with the joys and the challenges of life—healing trauma, building confidence, establishing clarity, and creating the life and relationships desired. She offers a complimentary discovery session to stoke the fires of inspiration and open the heart and mind to the incredible possibilities awaiting.
