How do past traumas – even “little t” traumas – affect our bodies, minds, and lives?

In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman reviews Dr. Nicole LePera's book How to Do the Work, which explores the mind-body connection, trauma, and stress. Coach Anne highlights key concepts such as the impact of stress on bodily functions and health, polyvagal theory, and Dr. LePera’s reinterpretation of trauma – one that may better reflect what our body or mind interprets as trauma.

Coach Anne also discusses Dr. LePera’s strategies for healing and self-regulation, emphasizing the importance of small, actionable steps before leaving listeners with a challenge to implement what they’ve learned.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

-LePera’s reinterpretation of trauma to include subtle childhood experiences (what the host calls “little T” trauma), especially experiences where you didn’t feel safe.

-The impact of stress on your bodily functions and physical health.

-Polyvagal theory, which explains the vagus nerve's role in stress responses.

-Practical healing strategies for improving your mind-body connection, including journaling, breathing exercises, and small daily habits.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“If you're not familiar with that idea of doing the work, it's really to be looking at yourself and taking steps to improve yourself, especially at an emotional level. What this looks like is different for everybody. Maybe that's therapy, maybe that's meditation, journaling, etc.”

“Stress is not just in your head. The body must shift resources from its usual place of maintaining homeostasis – that physical, emotional, and mental balance – to protecting itself. Of course, stress is part of life. Normative stress – birth, death, marriage, breakups, job loss – is part of the human experience. And trying to avoid stress could even stress you out. Stress is normal.”

“Dr. LePera’s patients came to her saying they can't connect with others, they can't get friends with emotional depth, they can't find love. This lack of intimacy may actually be because our body's stress response is activated and reducing emotional and attentional regulation.”

“When we grow up with an autonomic response, we might become used to that. Our mind and body are used to that response. And if it was a trauma response, our brain becomes used to that and can even learn to crave the feelings associated with the trauma response. This might be where you get stuck in a loop of emotional addiction.”

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

-Buy How to Do the Work on amazon.com or bookshop.org. *

-Visit Dr. LePera’s website.

-Join Dr. LePera’s community, SelfHealers Circle.

Connect with Anne Brinkman

Website: www.betteryour.life

LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman

Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio

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