Stress can feel overwhelming, unwelcome, and even surprise us when it strikes. Yet, with a solid support system, we can turn that stress into a catalyst for growth. On the flip side, when stress drags on without enough support or time to recover, it morphs into toxic stress, paving the way for trauma that can throw us off our path of personal development.
In this episode, I’m diving into the Stress → Trauma continuum. We’ll unpack the distinctions between stress, toxic stress, and trauma. I’ll share how trauma wires us for reactive behaviors and why living in a state of toxic stress can interfere with our ability to productively address life’s challenges.
To move beyond the trauma-induced survival mode, we need to focus on recognition, regulation, and reconnection. I’ll break down what each of these steps entails and how they can help you shift from instinctive reactions—like fight, flight, freeze, or submit—into more conscious, empowered choices.
As Gabor Maté wisely said, “Trauma is not what happens to you; it’s what happens inside of you as a result of what happened to you.”
What you will learn:
- Clear definitions of stress, toxic stress, and trauma to help you understand your reactions.
- Insights into why chronic toxic stress can affect individuals differently—what’s traumatic for one might not be for another.
- The three essential steps to breaking free from trauma’s grip: recognition, regulation, and reconnection.
- A chance to reflect on your own stressors to assess if they’ve crossed the line into toxic territory and if they now resonate as traumas.
Featured:
- The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel VandeKolf
- Transforming Your Anger From Reaction to Response Online Self Study Course with Dr. Arpita Gupta DePalma
- Learn more about Dr. Arpita Gupta DePalma’s programs with Thought Work, MD, including 1-to-1 coaching for individuals, group coaching cohorts for organizations, and her online self-study courses HERE.
