Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly aid in coping with the emotional and physical challenges of chronic illnesses, yet sustaining optimism presents its own difficulties. Somatic therapies, which focus on the connection between the body and mind, play a crucial role in enhancing emotional strength and promoting the body’s inherent healing processes.
Britt Piper, a therapist trained in trauma recovery and author of Body-First Healing: Get Unstuck and Recover from Trauma with Somatic Healing (Avery, 2025), explains, “The goal of healing isn’t merely symptom management; it’s about empowering individuals to endure activation moments without becoming overwhelmed.”
She further asserts, “We are not broken or defective; we don’t require fixing. Embracing this mindset can lead to remarkable healing and personal growth as we allow the process to unfold organically.”
Trapped in Survival Mode
The autonomic nervous system is skilled at safeguarding us through survival mechanisms such as fight, flight, freeze, and fainting. However, when trauma occurs—described by Piper as “any event that surpasses the nervous system’s ability to cope”—the nervous system may become “stuck” in a state of survival.
Traumatic experiences can stem from various sources, including childhood abuse, accidents, infidelity, chronic illness, or other significant events.
Unresolved trauma may result in exaggerated responses to situations, such as hunching your shoulders at the sound of a raised voice from a trusted person or feeling anxious when a loved one forgets to check in after work. In these instances, your nervous system responds appropriately but may misinterpret signals as threats, reflecting past traumas.
Releasing Trauma for Healing
Piper guides individuals in healing trauma and related stress disorders by encouraging them to explore their internal landscape for solutions, rather than seeking external quick fixes. “We first help individuals discharge the activation patterns in their nervous system, enabling them to feel more grounded, and subsequently build new patterns of response,” she explains.
This therapeutic approach is gradual but can yield significant results. Studies have shown benefits of Somatic Experiencing in treating those with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as in reducing trauma in young children post-surgery.
“We begin at the edges of the trauma vortex,” Piper notes, referencing the most intense energies associated with trauma in the body. This work may involve addressing recent frustrations before delving into deeper past traumas. “Over time, you gradually work your way to the center of that vortex,” she adds.
The Influence of Your State on Your Narratives
Piper incorporates nervous system regulation techniques into her client work, often focusing on the vagus nerve, which connects the brain with the heart, lungs, and digestive system.
Since 80% of vagal nerve signals travel from the body to the brain, she points out that you cannot solely rely on willpower or cognitive strategies to achieve happiness or overcome anxiety. “You must also engage your feelings,” she asserts.
Moreover, your autonomic nervous system’s state influences the narrative your mind creates. Thoughts during a “sympathetic state” may be inclined toward anger or fear, while during immobilization, they often reflect messages of helplessness.
“As we transition into a more ‘ventral state’ characterized by safety and connection, our cognitive patterns begin to shift,” Piper explains.
It can be particularly tough to sustain a positive mindset, especially given the brain’s inherent negativity bias, which evolved to help primates quickly identify threats. This bias explains why you may vividly recall gloomy experiences while overlooking joyful moments, or why you notice your partner’s occasional inattentiveness rather than the numerous times they are considerate.
Negative thoughts are often most disruptive at bedtime. One approach to counteract this is cognitive shuffling: visualize random, pleasant scenarios like playing with a pet, enjoying a carnival ride, or witnessing a sunset. Research indicates that this technique may enhance sleep quality.
Enhancing Relationship Dynamics
Body-focused therapies can profoundly affect your connections with both yourself and others. Piper notes, “Healing through a somatic perspective allows individuals to rediscover their true selves, untainted by trauma.”
In terms of relationships, this healing journey may manifest as establishing healthier boundaries, restoring connections after conflicts, or deepening existing relationships.
Although Piper is encouraged by the rising interest in nervous system regulation, she stresses that this work extends beyond mere regulation; it involves learning to embrace discomfort, opening up to those feelings, and permitting oneself to experience sadness or upset.
“By doing so, we enable discomfort to pass through us more swiftly,” she explains. “This work spans our lifetime—understanding how we engage with these fundamental emotions as they surface in our bodies.”
This article was originally featured in the October 2025 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
