At first glance might think this is easy or basic, however, feeling safe is one of the most overlooked parts of recovery and healing. A basic sense of safety within one’s self is needed in this world to function and live happy decent lives. Feeling safe when stress or anxiety hits matters. Feeling safe going to the grocery store around others matters. Feeling safe at night so you can sleep and gain needed rest for your body and soul matters. The body and the brain knowing that sensory input from the environment is safe matters. We don’t find real safety outside of ourselves. Real safety is found within.
Those who have suffered from trauma or addiction can feel past experiences move into their present through sensory input. For instance, the smell of alcohol could trigger a flight/fight response from an extremely stressful situation that involved the same smell. Many times it’s the sensory input that moves our brains into fear and thus produces automatic trauma/fear responses even when the danger has already passed. Parts of our brain and body will believe that the traumatic experience is still happening even though other parts know that it is over. We can change the way our brains and bodies experience and perceive fear. We do not need to be triggered to find change. We can find change right now in this moment.
Though a predictable safe space, exploration of our inner landscape creates experiences of safety in the present moment without bringing in the past. When we are noticing or feeling a muscular dynamic, we are fully in the present moment right now. When we are in the present moment, we are not in past trauma and have the opportunity to feel safe within ourselves. Imagining a “peaceful or safe place” is somewhere outside of ourselves and is not a real life safety that can be counted on to be there in daily life. We can not feel an imagined safety within our bones. Instead, we can turn inward and experience what it feels like to be safe. Inner safety creates feeling safe in the outer world as well.
Through embodiment in the present moment a sense of real safety can start to flourish within. Feeling safe is the foundation of healing. taking risks to change our lives is hard. What will happen? Who will we become? When safety is previewed the world becomes a bigger place that allows for exploration, investigation and growth.
Stepping into Wellness 