Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). Many times traumatic experiences need some additional help in being processed and resolved. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment, or of being “stuck in time.” One technique that I implement in trauma recovery that has helped clients move from repeating a trauma response to moving forward in their healing process is Emotional Brain Rebalancing.
In our brain, we have logic, reason and analytical processing in the left hemisphere. The brain’s right hemisphere processes motivation, creativity and our emotional responses. When a trauma has occurred it can produce an imbalance in the response of the brain. The goal of Emotional Brain Rebalancing is helping the brain process and store the experiences in a more balanced state in both the left and right hemispheres. In other words, helping the heightened traumatic emotions to decrease while increasing the logical processing of the event so that a healthy state of balance returns to the individual. In the late 1980’s psychologist, Dr. Francine Shapiro, discovered a connection between eye movement and persistent upsetting memories. With this personal insight, she began what became a lifelong study and development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR therapy has been demonstrated to be effective for treating trauma in randomized clinical trials, case studies, and millions of clinical hours treating trauma and trauma-related disorders across the globe. By using some of the effective components of this research, I have found that emotionally rebalancing the brain’s left and right hemispheres can be effectively achieved.
Some of this rebalancing occurs naturally as we go about our normal routines. There have been times when I have been trying to find a solution to a problem in which I’m struggling with, or needing some creative direction with a project that I’m working on. In these moments, if I can go for a walk at the park or jump on my elliptical machine at home, usually within about 30 minutes, I can gain clarity in my thinking and often find the solution. This back and forth activity stimulates both sides of my brain, contributing to brain balancing. As my left and right hemispheres work together, stress is reduced and processing is much more effective.
Steps in Pursuit
- Experiment with brain rebalancing by taking a walk the next time you are feeling stuck with a problem. While walking, focus on one aspect of the problem and take note of any changes at the end of the walk.
- Many times individuals will identify with being more “left or right brained.” God designed both hemispheres of the brain with equal importance. Take some time this week to bless your brain and accept the beauty of balance.
- Without thinking about it, we sometimes speak limits over ourselves such as saying things like, “I’m not creative or I’m terrible at math…” Spend some time with God releasing those limits and speaking words of life over your brain functioning.
Taking these steps can help us not only develop healthier brain processing, but also encourage a more loving acceptance of our beautiful design and identity.
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
