News — Childhood Trauma

Have you noticed that your face is puffy when you wake up or you have bags under your eyes, no matter how much sleep or self-care you get? From puffiness to bags to fine lines, these are actually the signs of “cortisol face.” High cortisol levels, triggered by prolonged stress, can silently change your appearance, affecting everything from your skin's texture to facial fat distribution. You may think it’s just aging, but it can be your body’s response to long-term stress. Face before and after releasing excess cortisol: Cortisol face shares symptoms with other stress-related conditions like fatigue, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. When your...

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can take a toll on your body and mind. You might feel overwhelmed and think it's just the way life is, but there are signs your body gives you when it's experiencing too much stress. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward healing and finding balance. The Cycle of Stress: How It Shows Up in Your Body               Excessive stress can manifest in a variety of ways, often mimicking other conditions. Some of the most common signs of too much...

Feeling like menopause and perimenopause have turned life into an emotional roller coaster? You’re not imagining things! These phases of life bring a range of symptoms that often overlap with those caused by high cortisol levels (that’s your stress hormone in action).  So if you're experiencing fatigue, mood swings, sleep issues, weight gain, anxiety — it can feel like a never-ending cycle where stress from one makes the other worse. When estrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate or decline, your body’s ability to regulate cortisol takes a hit, making even minor stress feel overwhelming. The result is a loop of...

Everyone's differing experience with trauma is deeply personal; and the actual definition of trauma can vary from person to person (depending on their own unique circumstances, healing mechanisms, and emotions). But one thing that binds us all when it comes to trauma is the way we deal with it — and one sure fire way to do that is through somatic exercise. Understanding Trauma: A Look At Its Definition And Sources Trauma arises when an individual undergoes an event that evokes a profound sense of helplessness, fear, distress, or overwhelming pain. These events can take many forms, ranging from physical...

Traumatic experiences from our childhood can affect us in unexpected ways as adults. But with the right help, we can start to identify and understand repressed childhood trauma and begin the healing process.  Introduction To Repressed Childhood Trauma Repressed childhood trauma is typically defined as emotional or physical trauma that occurred during childhood that has been repressed from conscious memory.  It could be a traumatic event, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or even a natural disaster; it could also be the result of difficult family dynamics or a stressful home environment. Whatever the cause, signs of repressed childhood...