5 Common Signs of Childhood Complex Trauma You May Not Recognize
When we consider signs of trauma’s impact, the first things that come to mind for many of us are large, dramatic symptoms. We’re talking flashbacks, or severe panic attacks, like those often experienced by war veterans. Trauma, particularly the complex kind experienced in childhood, does not always show up in clear-cut form though. Sometimes the […]
Finding Balance in Turbulent Times: Creating Inner Stability in a Chaotic World
Have you ever woken up, checked the news, and right away felt as if the rug had been pulled from under you? For sure I’m not alone in this. I scan through the most recent headlines some mornings and, before I know it, a wave of frustration, disbelief, even despair strikes. I find myself paralyzed […]
Facing Uncertainty: How to Stay Grounded When Fear Creeps In
Let’s be real: life feels pretty uncertain right now. Political upheaval has a way of doing that. And if you’re anything like me, that uncertainty can quickly spiral into fear—perhaps even a minor panic attack. Sometimes when we gaze out at the world—or even at our own life—everything we assumed we could rely on seems […]
Why Childhood Complex Trauma is More Common Than You Think
When you hear the word “trauma,” what do you think of first? For many of us, it’s the major, clear-cut stuff—physical violence, auto accidents, or natural disasters. Trauma, however, is not always clearly obvious or dramatic. Actually, a lot of trauma is subtle and creeps into our daily lives in ways we might not even […]
Reconnecting with Daily Rhythms: Finding Balance with Your Body’s Natural Cycles
If you’ve experienced trauma in childhood, it can be very difficult to cultivate a sense of safety and security. You always feel a bit “off kilter.” One gentle approach to feeling more grounded is to reconnect with life’s daily rhythms—like your natural sleep, eating, and rest patterns. Particularly in times when life has been anything […]
What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
While some difficult childhood events leave long-lasting scars, not every one of them do. ACEs, short for adverse childhood experiences, are among these. These are the situations or circumstances that could undermine the foundation of your early years, sometimes in ways that follow you long beyond childhood. Understanding ACEs helps us to make sense of […]
Standing Your Ground: A Simple Meditation to Cultivate Stability and Ease Anxiety
Have you ever felt like you’re floating, unsettled, or just can’t shake that anxious, jittery feeling? Having a sense of stability, of being grounded, is difficult for a lot of people, particularly those who’ve experienced trauma in the past. In particular, childhood complex trauma can cause long-term anxiety, making it difficult to achieve stability and […]
Using Food to Calm the Nervous System: Basic Daoist Principles
You know how difficult it can be to feel settled, grounded, and calm if you’ve dealt with trauma, anxiety, or simply overwhelming stress. Right on your plate, food is one of the most effective tools for supporting the nervous system. Food in Daoist nutrition is more than just fuel; it’s a means of balancing the […]
Why the Daoist Internal Healing Arts are So Effective for Healing Childhood Adversity & Complex Trauma
If you’ve experienced childhood trauma, you’re all too aware that it doesn’t only live in the past. Often, in ways not immediately clear-cut, it influences your feelings, thoughts, and manner of life in the present. Many people who’ve suffered childhood complex trauma battle with issues like emotional ups and downs, chronic anxiety, and a sense […]
The Impact of Addiction: How It Reaches Every Corner of Life
Many times described as a ripple effect, addiction begins with one individual but affects their health, relationships, job, and income among other areas. Addiction impacts a person’s physical and mental health, their family relationships, and their general quality of life; it doesn’t just change their daily behavior. Using hypothetical cases to demonstrate just how far-reaching […]