PTSD Is Not Just For Veterans

Every moment we’ve ever lived is etched into our memory and nervous system. The moment is over, but the stress lives on in our body, our gut reactions, and our thoughts.

If you feel extra heavy today, be gentle with yourself.

Every moment we've ever lived is etched into our memory and nervous system. The moment is over, but the stress lives on in our body, our gut reactions, and our thoughts.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death. It was 25 years ago, but I still tear up when I hear screeching tires. I still flinch when a friend jokes about running into traffic (not funny people!). I will never ride a motorcycle, and I hate convertibles; The entire time I'm blinking away images of the pavement. 

I've never been to war, but I mark 'YES' to 12 of the 17 qualifiers on the PTSD checklist.  Most of my clients score positive on the PTSD checklist. They feel hypervigilant compared to friends. They feel alone even when they're in a group. They avoid social situations, activities, or relationships as a way to avoid pain. As my mentor used to say, "these are perfectly normal reactions to the not normal life events we've experienced." 

No matter what we've experienced, it's a beneficial life skill to be mindful of how our current feelings stem from our past. 

Mindfulness Challenge:

If you feel anxious, irritated, overwhelmed, or negative, be gentle with yourself. Then ask yourself:
1. What fears are beneath my feelings? 
2. Where did I pick up these fears (in childhood)?

Be proactive: Make a list of the five moments that you think are at the root of many of your uncomfortable emotions, fears, and behaviors. Take time this week to release the emotional charge around one of these events. In EFT Trainings, we call this the Personal Peace Procedure.

Our brain and nervous system are designed to regenerate:

Mindfulness, breathwork, meditation, Emotional Freedom Technique (aka EFT tapping), and prayer help our nervous system drop out of fight or flight and teach our brain that the past doesn't have to repeat itself. 

This week, make a list of moments that are a)in the past, but b) still affecting you.

Once a week, commit to tapping on them.

To learn how to safely tap on past memories, I highly recommend the EFT Level 1& 2 Training.

If you have questions, I am one click away at jackie@theeftmasterclass.com

Live love,

Jackie Viramontez

Master EFT Trainer