Managing stress can involve a variety of approaches, including self-care practices such as exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness meditation. Trauma/stress-informed care recognizes that stress can be a result of past/present life experiences and encourages a compassionate and holistic approach to addressing the underlying causes of stress.
EMDR therapy is a type of trauma-focused psychotherapy that can be particularly effective in reducing stress symptoms by addressing underlying past trauma that may be contributing to today’s stress. Peter Levine’s work on trauma emphasizes the importance of addressing the physical and emotional aspects of stress in order to release it from the body, which can also help to reduce stress.
Brainwave Entrainment is an excellent self-care tool for reducing fight/flight activity in the brain’s limbic system. Regular Brainwave Entrainment sessions can have a profoundly positive effect on stress levels without using drugs or having to talk to a stranger about your problems. Brainwave Entrainment is not a treatment for stress, in the same way, that exercise is not a treatment for obesity. Self-care tools are a vital part of resolving stress in the long term, and Brainwave Entrainment is a self-care tool.
Trauma-release exercises, such as shaking and deep breathing, can also be helpful in reducing stress by releasing tension and stress from the body. It is important to work with a qualified mental health professional to determine the best approach for managing your stress.