by Leah Hantman
Research suggests that fitness and nutrition can have significant impact on the emotional healing process. Unfortunately, most Therapy and Mental Health Programs don't touch on important health building habits such as exercise, food choices and sleep hygiene in treatment.
Experiencing trauma causes the body to produce adrenaline and cortisol, activating normal protective processes of fight, flight, or freeze. Unresolved trauma experiences can stimulate these responses even in non-threatening situations.
This is where the Empowered RX Coach comes in. We are trauma-informed mentors who integrate psychology-nutrition-fitness and community to bridge the gap between negative life altering moments and achieving optimal health.
We pick up where the the Therapist leaves off so that our clients have a team of allied health professionals to help them through the complex stages of trauma.
Trauma wreaks havoc on the nervous system. Regulating the nervous system and processing painful experiences is necessary for healing. Trauma shows up as:
- Fear
- Avoidance
- Self-sabotage
- Emotional Eating
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Body Image Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Relationship turmoil
- Low Confidence
- Lack of sleep
-Mood swings
- Obsessive behaviors
- Over-scheduling / Over-working
- Lack of concentration
- Chronic illness
- Stress
- Increased injury
- Lack of consistency in health and exercise routine
- Substance Abuse
- Financial stress
- Risky Sexual Behavior
& so much more...
If you can relate, you're not alone. Estimates show that nearly 86% of people have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. Persistent chronic stress or trauma can create negative life altering moments that flip our worlds upside down. When it comes to our goals, we don't understand how trauma or stress impacts our activities of daily living, motivation and wellness than we are likely to end up in a vicious feedback loop of committing ---> Avoiding ---> Failing. AND it's not your fault!
So many of us will say,
"UGH, What is wrong with me?"
"I just can't lose weight"
"I don't know why I can't keep motivated"
"Every time I see progress I end up sabotaging my efforts"....
Sound familiar? THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT! Our stress, experiences and emotions dictate so much of our behavior that we start to just see these habits as a reflection of self... but guess what? It's not a reflection of self, it's a reflection of stress and trauma.
To re-build health habits after trauma we can't jump into the typical goal setting trajectory. It simply won't work. We spend thousands of dollars on fad-diets, quick fixes, gym memberships and more... and we find ourselves back at where we started time and time again.
What if you could address your nervous system and restore your health habits so that you were then able to launch into goal setting and personal training or fitness with a guarantee that you would succeed? Our prescriptive model does just that. We meet you where you are and take you to where you want to be. We follow a non-traditional path of healing mixed with fitness and resiliency training. We fortify the body with healthy food and a strong self-image.
Therapy helps you to put back the pieces, and WE come in and help show you how to use them to your advantage. When we understand our struggle we can turn them into strengths.
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