The Importance of Environment in the Healing of Trauma

Environment is a very important piece in the healing of trauma.

A trauma-aware “outer” environment creates a physical sense of safety, which often leads the body into an “inner” sense of safety, too.

Aesthetically pleasing and clean environments are more than just “pretty” or “nice”. A home or office that is cluttered, with harsh bright lighting, no plants and dreary colors, is not conducive to healing.

Research has shown that a clean and uncluttered space reduces stress hormones and gives the brain more space to process.

Choice of color is important too; as blues, greens, soft whites and creams are much more calming to the eye and nervous system.

Nature is the guide. Think about the colors outside that our eyes have been observing since the beginning of human life on this planet. Nature is our master co-regulator. Nature is the greatest healer we each have access to right now, for free.

Below, I share a little story about my time in a cardiologists office.

In July of 2020, I was sitting in a cardiologists office about to have an ultrasound scan of my heart and a stress test due to an extraordinary amount of heart palpitations, which were, in fact, caused by “chronic anxiety & panic” (unresolved trauma).

His office was barren, stark white, with gray benches, old monitors and paint faded cabinets. There was one photo of a fish on the wall, which I had my eyes glued to while I ran on the treadmill.

The blinds were down over the window by the bench, with a tiny hole that I could see through to the grass outside. When I reached my max of 190 bpm on the treadmill, I was asked to step off, take a few breaths, and sit down on that bench and let my heart rate come down, but it wasn’t able to.

My nervous system was on high alert entering that room having just been diagnosed with ‘panic disorder’ and additionally terrified about doing a stress test.

My heart continued to hover steadily around 165 bpm while I sat there with the electrodes on my chest trying to breathe.

The only thing I could do was peak through that tiny hole through the blinds, to see the grass and connect with the earth. It was all my eyes wanted to look at, they were glued; and as I focused there, looking out at the grass, my heart rate slowed a little and then a little more.

If that office had been painted with softer colors and had more pictures of nature, plants, soft lighting and the ability to see properly through the window, I can guarantee my heart would have made it’s way below 160 while sitting there, because my nervous system would have felt a greater sense of safety.

Once we left and I got outside, I saw the sky and the trees, I could breathe and my heart settled down.

During that time when I was experiencing daily panic attacks, my sacred space at home was my anchor. I was being covered by Temporary Disability Insurance which allowed me to spend hours in my space morning and night. Being with myself, reading, journaling, listening to meditation & bi-lateral stimulation music, lighting candles, doing yoga, consciously breathing, toning my vagus nerve and honestly, praying for a higher power to help.

This is one of the reasons I guide my clients to create a sacred + safe space in their homes to begin the foundational process of reducing anxiety. When we create a sacred space in our home that feels safe and familiar to us, it brings safety to the body.

Same goes for anyone working in the field of trauma.

With virtual platforms being on the rise for all of us, many are now offering therapy, counseling and coaching solely online. While this has many wonderful benefits, it is important to be in the same physical location every time you are working with your patient or client via a virtual space.

This sets up further safety for the patient or client to connect with the objects around and behind you.

Our eyes orient to spaces, and our body feels more comfortable when we see the same items over and over, especially when in the realm of healing trauma.

The last yet one of the most important environments to be in - is a safe environment with your close network of people.

It is crucial to be in connection and co-regulation with safe others, who are generally regulated and/or have the capacity for self-regulation.

When we are healing from trauma, it is essential to work with and regularly spend time with grounded, consistent, reliable, stable and emotionally mature people.

People whose words match their actions. It is often not helpful to spend much time with those who regularly dismiss or minimize your experiences, especially while you are healing.

This is where self-limits (boundaries) are best applied.

Some people don’t realize they are dismissing or minimizing you, it usually is not intentional. But it’s up to you to care for you in this scenario, it is up to you to protect yourself from what doesn’t feel supportive.

Boundaries are, simply put, self-limits and self-care. Boundaries are what is ok and what is not ok moment by moment. Boundaries don’t need to be a brick wall.

However, when we’re first learning how to set them, brick walls may happen. Be gentle with yourself when learning how to implement boundaries for the first time in your life.

Over time, it becomes easier and more fluid.

————————

A few signs showing you when you need to set boundaries: feeling very depleted, drained or irritated/frustrated/frazzled after spending time with someone.

Alternatively, you may feel neutral, light, at ease and expansive around those who feel supportive and safe to you.

Stay true to you.

Trust in the wisdom of your body.

It is speaking all the time.

Our nervous system knows who feels safe and who doesn’t.

Our nervous system is talking to us constantly; it’s our job to learn how to listen and trust it. As we listen and follow it’s wisdom, we heal.