Hi y'all! Taking a sweet pause and giving a shot at writing a blog so here is my first post!
I am a psychologist/massage therapist/bodyworker/singer/dog lover and I have always loved writing. As you can see here, I own my own massage therapy business called Sweet Pause (@sweetpause). My focus in my practice involves treating the whole person (mind-body-spirit) so I strive to understand all aspects of each clients' lives from physical to emotional, including any ongoing medical issues as well as how they are feeling emotionally and mentally in the moment. Our brains, our nervous systems are intricately designed and furthermore so much of what we experience in our everyday lives stays with us in our bodies, especially for those who have survived trauma. Bessel van der Kolk, MD in his groundbreaking and informative work The Body Keeps The Score, Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma, explores this brain (mind)-body connection and encourages more research on how simply listening to our bodies more and "noticing and befriending the sensations in our bodies can produce profound changes in both mind and brain that can lead to healing from trauma" (2014).
For all of us, it is important to move and be active! So much of what I have learned about what is effective in trauma recovery treatments involves physical activity, nutrition and whole body wellness (bodywork/Pilates/yoga/massage therapy), or what we hear as the mind-body-spirit connection/balance. Homeostasis is the body's inner state of balance in an ever changing outside world, but that balance can get thrown off at any given moment and it does indeed all of the time, all throughout our days, our lives. We not only have musculoskeletal pains/issues/injuries but we may also experience chronic migraines, sleep problems, gastrointestinal distress, to name a few. The goal (in life in general, really) is to attain that homeostasis and most importantly to inhabit the nervous system's most deep and relaxed state known as the para sympathetic (an autonomic nervous system response not to be confused with the sympathetic nervous system response, which is known as "fight or flight" when cortisol levels are high and our body is involuntarily in a state of distress/trauma). When our bodies and our minds are in balance in a parasympathetic state, that is when we are healing, meditating, digesting and sleeping. Exercise (in all of its many varied forms) as well as eating well, getting regular massage/bodywork, being in nature and meditating are all examples of ways to reach this parasympathetic state, this wonderful and pure homeostasis. I want to share my own experience surviving trauma and some health issues, and how I have found healing and strength in healthy living/wellness/nature.
Check out my Instagram page @sweetpause