Rethinking Trauma - It’s More Than Just a Big Event
Rethinking Trauma: It’s More Than Just a Big Event
For a long time, trauma was understood as something big - war, violence, abuse - life changing events that leave deep psychological wounds.
But today, we recognise that trauma isn’t just about what happened - it’s about what happens inside us in response to what we’ve experienced. It’s not just the single overwhelming event - it’s also the small, persistent stressors that accumulate over time.
Big T vs. Little t Trauma
We often hear about Big "T" trauma - life threatening events like accidents, abuse or natural disasters. These experiences are undeniably traumatic, often leading to PTSD and deep psychological distress.
But trauma isn’t always loud or obvious. Small "t" trauma refers to repeated emotional wounds from ongoing stressors - things like childhood neglect, chronic criticism, bullying or financial distress. While these experiences may not be life threatening, they shape the nervous system, perception and sense of self in profound ways. Over time, they can have just as much impact as a single, catastrophic event.
Trauma is Stored in the Body
Trauma isn’t just a psychological issue - it’s stored in the body. Chronic stress and unresolved trauma can manifest as:
Chronic pain and muscle tension
Digestive issues like IBS or leaky gut
Hormonal imbalances and reproductive challenges
Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Autoimmune conditions
When the nervous system is stuck in survival mode, the body stays on high alert, affecting every system. Healing requires more than just talking about the past - it means working with the body to restore a sense of safety.
The Role of Breathwork in Healing
Conscious Connected Breathwork offers a direct path to healing by quieting the thinking mind and accessing deeper layers of stored trauma. By calming the prefrontal cortex, breathwork allows the body to process and release what talk therapy alone cannot reach.
Under the guidance of a trauma informed facilitator, breathwork helps regulate the nervous system, restore safety in the body and reconnect you with your true Self.
Shifting the Focus: From the Event to the Impact
Understanding trauma through this lens shifts the focus from the event itself to how it has shaped your nervous system, perception and relationship with yourself. It’s not just about what happened - it’s about how your body adapted to survive.
And that means healing isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about reconnecting with your true Self, restoring safety in your body and reclaiming your story.
Healing is possible - not by erasing the past, but by learning to feel safe in the present. Through breathwork, you create space for breakthroughs as you meet your wounds with compassion and step into deeper sense of wholeness and self acceptance.
