“Just as your body knows how to digest and metabolize food, it also knows how to metabolize and process emotions and sensations. It’s important to note here that it takes the body an average of ninety seconds to move through a feeling. In this case, maybe as you read the text message, you take time to notice the sensations that arise – now your arms have an impulse to stretch up and out, expanding your chest as you take in a large inhale down through your belly and let out an even larger exhale. It feels like relief, followed perhaps by openness in your chest and now a rising of your shoulders and straightening of your spine. The pit in your stomach has dissapated. You feel like you’re taking up more space now. You feel powerful and assertive – even your eyesight seems to have more clarity. You feel different. Less afraid and more courageous to say no.”
-Brittany Piper, Body-First Healing
313. Body First: A Revolutionary Approach to Trauma Recovery with Britt Piper
Brittany Piper, author of "Body-First Healing: Get Unstuck and Recover from Trauma with Somatic Healing." Brittany transforms our understanding of trauma recovery with her groundbreaking approach that places the body—not just the mind—at the center of healing. After surviving sexual assault, foster care experiences, and profound loss, Brittany found conventional therapy lacking until she discovered the missing piece: somatic healing that addresses trauma stored in the nervous system.
In this powerful conversation, Brittany guides us through the revolutionary science behind trauma recovery. She illuminates how our bodies get stuck in survival responses long after danger has passed, creating chronic stress that manifests as anxiety, rage, shutdown, or illness. Most importantly, she offers hope through accessible somatic practices that can help reset our nervous systems and reclaim our lives.
The discussion delves into fascinating concepts like polyvagal theory, neuroception, and titration. Brittany explains how our nervous systems operate as a three-state ladder rather than a simple on/off switch and demonstrates simple techniques to create evidence of safety for our hypervigilant systems. Perhaps most reassuringly, she emphasizes that healing isn't about eliminating all stress or uncomfortable emotions but developing the capacity to return to safety after activation.
Brittany's Story mentioned in our conversation: My Survivor Story
For more on Somatic Healing: traumahealing.org.
Learn more from Brittany and order her new book: Body-First Healing.
Visit Brittany's YouTube Channel: @HealwithBritt
Visit Brittany on Instagram: @healwithbritt
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What is Body-First Healing?
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