Many people wake up each day with emotional and physical aches and pains that have been left untreated for years, often decades. Disconnecting from one’s body and mind becomes a defense mechanism after years of suppressing these emotional and physical signals.
In American culture, those who are able to ignore their physical and emotional limits are often celebrated. Toxic positivity is praised, and workplace standards leave little room for self-reflection or connecting with one’s internal state. It’s no surprise, then, that the U.S. ranks tenth in obesity rates globally, with depression as a leading cause of disability, 31% of adults experiencing anxiety at some point in their lives, and suicide being one of the leading causes of death.
American culture often encourages avoidance. Many of us, having grown up in this environment, have spent our lives sidestepping emotions, thoughts, and situations that feel uncomfortable or culturally unaccepted. This constant avoidance creates a cycle of anxiety, fear, and disconnection from our own emotional and physical states.
Now, let’s consider the brain. While it’s highly advanced in many ways, it still serves a very primal purpose: survival. When we avoid something, our brain interprets it as a threat. Whether it’s an emotion, a thought, or a situation, our brain views it as dangerous, strengthening our anxiety response.
It’s natural for us to shy away from uncertainty, unfamiliarity, intrusive thoughts, and inner or external conflict. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t taught to sit with these discomforts, because our culture doesn’t encourage it. When we can’t sit with these natural experiences, we create an internal conflict, which manifests not only in mental health issues but also in physical ailments.
Holistic therapy takes a whole-person approach, guiding individuals to tolerate discomfort and reconnect with their internal state in various ways. Reconnecting with your body and your pain may be challenging, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding journey. By resolving the internal battle that may have been growing within you for years, you open the door to waking up each morning with a new sense of hope, new patterns, and a fresh way to experience life.