I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between stress and trauma lately. It’s kind of one of those things that creeps up on you. You might think you’re just dealing with everyday stress, but then you realize there’s a layer of trauma that impacts how you react to it all.
For me, I remember a time when I felt completely overwhelmed. It wasn’t just the usual pressures of school or work; there were deeper experiences from my past that colored how I approached even the smallest challenges. I’d find myself spiraling over things that most people would consider minor. It’s like I was carrying this invisible weight, and every new stressor felt like it was adding another brick to my already heavy backpack.
I can pinpoint moments when I’d wake up in the middle of the night, heart racing, just thinking about everything I had to do the next day. In those moments, I often wondered if it was the stress itself that was causing my anxiety or if it was something deeper, that trauma whispering in the back of my mind. It took me a while to recognize that my reactions weren’t just about the current situation; they were often echoes of past experiences.
I’ve also noticed that I tend to avoid things that remind me of those past experiences. It’s strange how something seemingly innocent can trigger feelings of stress or anxiety. Have any of you felt that way? Like you’re just trying to manage your day-to-day, but certain reminders make it all come flooding back?
Talking to a therapist helped me a lot in untangling these feelings. It’s been an ongoing journey, but learning to acknowledge both my stressors and the trauma beneath them has been eye-opening. I’ve found that when I give myself permission to feel those emotions—rather than just pushing through—I start to understand my own responses better.
I’m curious about what strategies you all use to cope with stress when it feels intertwined with past trauma. Have any of you found techniques or practices that help you navigate that tricky space? I think sharing our experiences can really help us all feel a little less alone in this.