The neurobiological opposite of trauma is PLAY

This has been on my mind all day. Our brain produces certain chemicals in response to trauma. So when we go through a traumatic experience and we don’t have the resources, tools, or support available to us in that moment to process what is happening, those chemicals get stored in our bodies. Then, when we encounter something similar in our lives, it can trigger (or activate) those chemicals to come online. So in our body, it can feel EXACTLY like we did when we experienced the original trauma, even if our present-day situation isn’t actually traumatic.

For example, I’ve shared a bit on here about my sexual assault and associated trauma. Because my agency was taken from me in that moment and I felt like I had no choice, there are moments now in my life that have absolutely nothing to do with sex or sexuality, but if I feel my agency is being taken away, if I feel like I have no choice but to lie down and take it, I can feel the familiar energies resurfacing. And even though its been YEARS since my assault, it can take me back in an instant to being that scared, young girl who was so afraid of upsetting people that she just stayed quiet.

Our trauma is our greatest teacher if we let it.

However, if we stay stuck in those feelings, we just end up re-traumatizing ourselves.. So, how do we find the balance? How can we work through the trauma and feel the feelings and hold space for ALL parts of ourselves without staying trapped in past on a loop?

And that’s where play comes in. The neurobiological opposite of trauma is PLAY. That means that carving out time for play, for fun, for curiosity, freedom, and exploration IS the way to heal our trauma. Stepping into sensual play can be super scary for those of us who have had traumatic sexual experiences. It can feel incredibly unsafe to put yourself in situations with other people (or even with yourself) again after you’ve been hurt.

And even if you haven’t gone through a capital T sexual trauma (like assault), you very likely HAVE experienced sensual trauma in some way throughout your life just living in our very patriarchal, heteronormative, religious-based society.

But making time for YOU, to just be with YOU, and to experience the divine sensations of pleasure that are at all times available to YOU inside of your beautiful, temple body, IS your ticket to sensual freedom.

Play will set you free.

Join me for our first Body Temple Self Worship services on Sunday Sept 22nd for free inside the Sacred Slut Collective. Let’s set ourselves free.