What an incredible journey! Attending Europe’s largest Trauma and Mental Health Conference at the University of Oxford was a truly enlightening experience. I was surrounded by extraordinary individuals, engaged in many activities, and took part in meaningful gatherings. Here, I’d like to share some of the remarkable insights and lessons I’ve learned:
Exploring Trauma Healing – after a 15-year hiatus, the conference brought together renowned experts Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, and Deb Dana to discuss “The Mind-Body Connection: Approaches to Trauma Healing” within Legacy Talks. Their insights were truly inspiring. We discussed the importance of addressing trauma, especially in today’s world filled with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, racial inequalities, and global challenges.
One major takeaway was understanding how trauma affects our autonomic nervous system, our body’s natural response to tough situations. Deb Dana emphasized the idea of “co-regulation,” highlighting our need, as social beings, to connect and support each other.
The Power of Connection – Deb Dana’s insights on our autonomic nervous system reminded us of the vital role of connection in our lives. Despite our quest for self-regulation and independence, our biological need for connection remains unchanged.
Safety as a Biological Need – safety isn’t just an abstract concept; it has a profound impact on our biology. Feeling safe not only affects our mental and emotional well-being but also influences our physical health. It’s a reminder of our need for security.
Healing through Music – beyond trauma discussions, we explored the therapeutic potential of music and sound. AjoiA’s healing sounds create a serene sanctuary, promoting balance and harmony within us. I highly recommend them.
The journey toward well-being is something we can all contribute to collectively. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many incredible individuals.
Apart from extraordinary experts that I have already mentioned, I had the privilege of attending lectures by Linda Thai, Frank Anderson and Benjamin Fry who truly captivated the audience.
Some topics really deserve special attention, and I am looking forward to sharing more about Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory and what it means to me. Till next Tuesday.
