The Holiday Season: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year—Or Is It?
For many, the holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration. Yet for others, it stirs feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, or irritability. Why does this happen? Research reveals that trauma often resurfaces during this time, triggered by memories stored in the brain—whether consciously or subconsciously. Human memory is complex, encompassing both explicit memories we can recall and implicit ones we may not remember but still influence our emotions and physical responses. A sound, smell, or event can unconsciously bring unresolved trauma to the surface. Understanding Trauma and Triggers Triggers can cause us to feel emotions that seem out of proportion to the present moment. For example, you might feel sadness or anger without knowing why. This could be due to the body recognizing a sensation similar to one experienced during a traumatic event. These instinctive responses—commonly known as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—are the body’s way of coping. Fight: Reacting...