2023-08-14 16:14:53
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — In an era when technology allows for easier communication between people on a large scale, why do so many of us feel isolated? Thomas Hubbell, author of Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma — and Our World, sees this growing pattern of personal isolation, alienation, and division on a global scale as “a manifestation of collective trauma.”
Hubbell believes that each of us must process our trauma to restore balance and promote healing. He explains that despite the age written on our passports, our bodies are built on hundreds of thousands of years of living, with all of our ancestors adding something to our being today. Our ancestors’ accomplishments, such as rational thinking, emotional complexity, physical function, and self-healing, lie within us. However, traumas that are not incorporated can result in hypervigilance, stress, and constant fear.
Trauma is often mistaken for adversity itself, but it is actually the way our nervous system responds to a traumatic experience. Hubbell states that this response has a protective function, as our nervous system tries to keep us safe. However, if we don’t learn how to integrate trauma, the symptoms can sometimes lead to severe side effects.
One of the signs that grandparental trauma could be affecting an individual is shock, often accompanied by aggression towards those seen as the source of their discomfort. Another symptom is numbness, which leads to withdrawal and separation from others.
Understanding the source of our trauma is not as important as developing curiosity about our triggers, according to Hubbell. Instead of creating stories and attributing our experiences to different situations, he advises getting in touch with our bodies. This can be done by connecting with the stress we feel and identifying where it is located in our bodies. By being more aware of our bodies, we might even recognize moments of relaxation when we aren’t feeling any stress or tension.
Hubbell suggests that trauma is best healed with others, especially those who are trained to listen and stay in touch with their own and others’ physical, emotional, and mental experiences. Communication with those around us can be improved by being open to difficult interactions and situations, as these moments can teach us valuable lessons. It is also helpful to take note of difficult situations encountered throughout the day and consider the feelings associated with them in the evening.
In a world where technology connects us more than ever before, it is important to address the issue of personal isolation and the impact of collective trauma. Hubbell’s book provides insights and practices that can help individuals process their trauma and promote healing, ultimately leading to greater interdependence and connection in the world.]
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