4 Practices To Break Free From Anxiety And Trauma – And Live Life Fully
Written by: Erin Macsymic, 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.
The path to living fully and as your truest self may become clearer as you release the “heaviness” of trauma and stress.
Healing and Transformation with Breath
Breathwork can help you heal trauma, anxieties, fears, stress, and self-sabotage by regulating the nervous system and clearing stagnant energies. Amongst the many breathwork practices, conscious connected breathing has a special way of healing, bringing awareness and clarity, and elevating moods. By participating in breathwork, you can experience profound breakthroughs on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. The beauty of breathwork is it is accessible to everybody. Breath awareness in the entry point that invites us to return our awareness back to the body. Trauma and unresolved emotions get stuck in our nervous system, and breathwork has been proven to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, whereby we can let go of the stored trauma within our body. From a more active practice like Holotropic Breathwork, to a more relaxed style such as Cyclic Sighing, the myriad of techniques each serves a purpose.
Reprogramming the Subconscious Mind
Hypnotherapy is another science backed therapy effective in resolving limiting and outdated ways of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. We can, through suggestion in this state of hypnosis, update the subconscious mind with more valid beliefs, empowering emotions, positivity, and healthier ways of living. There is an incredible shift that occurs when we start addressing stress and anxiety from a root level, the subconscious mind, this is where true transformation occurs. We get in alignment with who we are at our core, we begin to feel more pleasure and joy in life, and we start to love and accept ourselves more deeply. The use of the imagination and mental rehearsal have been shown to be profoundly life-changing to heal trauma and reduce anxiety.
Mindfulness and Sense of Safety
Becoming aware of your body, breathing patterns, and creating a space of safety within your mind and body is an integral part of well-being. Mindfulness, as described by Jon Kabat-Zinn is, non-judgmental moment to moment awareness, and paying attention on purpose. When we are “extra present” we can learn where the stress and tensions are stored in our body, gain inner wisdom, make healthier choices, and break free from anxiety and depression.
Yoga and Stretching
Utilizing yoga, massage, dance, exercise, and fascia stretching, have all been known to have a beneficial outcome when it comes to combating stress and anxiety. The body and tissues hold memory, especially the fascia system. By stretching or massaging the restrictions and tensions, we can have emotional releases, elicit the relaxation response, and stimulate the vagus nerve. These somatic approaches can be wonderful tools to break free from anxiety and release trauma, so you can feel more fulfilled and whole.
There is no cookie-cutter practice that will effectively work for everyone, we have a constellation of remedies out there from the western to eastern sides of medicine and from ancient to modern practices. Some may work well in conjunction with one another, so it is ok to explore the ways that serve you best so ultimately, you can live more fully and freely.
Erin Macsymic, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Erin Macsymic is a sought-after Celebrity Hypnotherapist and Trauma Specialist. Embracing somatic centered therapies, Erin has designed seamless programs to help people release trauma, tension, and stress from the body. She has dedicated her life to supporting others in acquiring optimal health, self-awareness, happiness and wholeness. Erin's holistic wellness classes have proven to be a catalyst for profound healing and positive changes in the lives of individuals, groups and broader society. With mastery and passion, she has established herself as one of the most innovative practitioners in her field, including within many of Hollywood's elite.
