Mending Roots Holistic Wellness

03/10/2023

11/22/2021

The importance of
Fight or flight

Most have heard of the fight or flight response… but do we understand what the fight or flight means? What is the importance of managing our stress response system? Do we know that by opening our hearts and reframing past traumas and triggers that we can lessen our fear responses, which in turn could possibly save us from a dreadful disease or disorder? I don’t believe many people know the importance behind this knowledge, how we activate our fight or flight (our stress response system) on a daily basis, and what that does to our health. The sole purpose of this article is to spread awareness.

The example I like to use exhibits the primal instincts within us all… when the prey outrun the predator. Once safe, the prey will begin shaking off the excess adrenaline. This process occurs in animals and humans alike because our stress response system is designed to fight or flight. In the case of the wild, the excess energy surging through the prey’s body, along with the stress chemicals cortisol and adrenaline, are finding their way out of the body, as they should. The excess energy is shaken from the body and the chemicals get processed by the kidneys and exit the bladder.

In our primal days, this stress response system came in pretty handy. Thanks to this big brain of ours, specifically the prefrontal cortex, The second the brain becomes aware that danger is present signals are sent throughout the body, redirecting energy and blood flow to the muscles, bones, and extremities in order to support our ability to run as fast as we can,and/or defend ourselves . Because our brain is preparing to fight or flee, any functions that are secondary to immediate survival (immune system, digestive system, etc) gets shelved for the time being… These systems are vital to keeping the physical body healthy.

A few ways the body signals that the stress response system has been activated is as follows:

Heart Rate increases
Breathing picks up pace
Dilated pupils
Pale or flushed skin
Trembling

Fast forward to the present day.. Life has changed quite a bit. Danger no longer means a sabre tooth tiger chasing us (thank God!)... present day danger consists of things like road rage, mean bosses, toxic friends and/or family, gossipping coworkers, and so on . These are what we call modern day stressors. Here’s where it gets a little daunting… if our stress response system is staying activated, we slip into what is called a chronic freeze response. At this point, our sympathetic and parasympathetic aren’t alternating the way they usually do. The sympathetic is responsible for activating the fight or flight response, meanwhile, the parasympathetic kicks in and regulates the nervous system, allowing the body to calm and go back to business.Once in a freeze state, the stress chemicals begin to seep out in toxic amounts. Combine that with our immune system being shut off and voila!! Cancer, autoimmune, allergies, chronic pain, etc. The fight or flight being activated seems to be at the core of a large majority of illnesses so naturally my next question was “why isn’t the general public made more aware of this process?” A majority of citizens believe big pharma is the cause simply because they have a vested interest in us being ill. If we take back control of our health and learn how to heal ourselves their pockets will surely suffer.

So what can we do about it? I compiled a list of exercises/techniques that are simple yet logical ways to deactivate the stress response system.

Deep breathing exercises
Meditation
Mindfulness
Progressive relaxation
Guided imagery
Frequency music
Biofeedback
therapy

We have more power and control over our mind and body than we have been led to believe. We have been programmed since birth (or before) to rely on external sources for healing … and although we should always keep our Dr. in the loop, there is more that we can do to push the healing along. It is time to take the reins back and speak and live our truth.

Amelia Taylor
Mending Roots Holistic Wellness

REFERENCES:

Whether you want to better manage stress, understand a mental health disorder, or learn why we dream, get the guidance you need to be healthy and happy.

11/21/2021

Recently someone asked me how I made it through everything I went through and still strive to find and love myself and bring healing to others.To be honest, I'm not sure. I know it has happened slowly, and the most beneficial activities/exercises were the most simple sounding ones and they are the ones that stuck with me. For instance, I stopped lying after hearing a quote a couple of years ago. "Every lie ever told was told in fear of someone or something." This meant when I told a "white lie" for any reason, it was because I was afraid of their reactions or response. Another one is saying "no". Knowing I'm not responsible for anyone else's emotions helped me say no. I don't apologize for aying it, and I don't explain why I am saying it. I just kindly say "no". I'll be posting about life tips for coming back from trauma soon.

11/08/2021

Setting boundaries may be the most important step towards a healthier version of myself that I have made so far. If not, definitely in the top three. Setting boundaries also gave me the courage to step into a healthier version of myself

Back when I smoked ci******es my neighbor would come to my door upset about something 2-3 times per day asking to bum a cigarette. I would get so annoyed, but most of the time I said yes. I would be so irritated and short after that. She wouldn't be upset at all anymore... she got what she needed, problem solved. It finally hit me... there was an unintentional, unaware to us energetic transaction taking place. I was allowing her and I to swap energy. So the next time she came over, with drama of course, I kindly told her no. I didn't explain myself to her. I didn't apologize for saying no. I wasn't being rude, snarky, sarcastic, dismissive. I was just being me. That was the most empowering feeling I had ever felt I believe. It is the ultimate satisfaction in a way. You are not communicating with your emotions, you are not playing nice because you're worried someone isn't going to like you. You aren't afraid of what they think or feel about you. You know you are doing what is right for the both of you. You are no longer enabling their toxic habit , helping them keep it around, and you are speaking your truth and not apologizing for it. Now that I naturally respect my own boundaries on a daily basis it has weeded out anyone that is disengenuious from my current reality.

It feels really really good to be on this side of life.

11/08/2021

Good evening friends : )

My 40th birthday is in 13 minutes... so getting older is here. It made it to our front steps.

I remember a time when 40 was so far away that I didn't have to think about it at all. I could eat whatever I wanted, drink what I want, do what I want... that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I have some gray hair now, my cheeks aren't as "lifted" so to speak lol.... but I didn't come here to complain, I came here to talk about all of the positive things I have noticed about being alive for 40 years.

First of all, I still think about how blessed that I am to have made it this long. I'm blessed to wake up every morning to two of my children. It will always be painful to not have Naadia and Aja in my life, but my focus is on the ones that are here. I know what I deserve and don't deserve. I know what I will tolerate and not tolerate. I know how to keep boundaries in place, how to say no, how to be in the moment , how to make my son feel valued, loved, and respected on a daily basis.

I know how to love myself, how to be patient with myself, and how to love others.

I'm good with 40.... Happy Birthday to me!!!!!

09/14/2021

Setting boundaries is one of the single most important actions you can take to protect your energy.

09/14/2021

Hello everyone! Thank you to those that accepted the invite for this page!! Also, thank you to everyone that has been by my side throughout this healing journey. I couldn't have done it without you!

I am in the process of attending school to be an integrative healing arts practitioner and starting my very first practice followed by my first non profit!! I am now officially a trained and certified life coach and certified hypnotherapist!!

Mending Roots HW will be offering our clients life coaching and hypnotherapy sessions. My goal is to help those that are either already on their own healing journey or ready to begin. We have hypnosis for quitting smoking, addiction, anxiety, stress, weight management, past life regression, age regression, pain management and so much more!!

Our non-profit will have to open after raising the funds from our practice. It will be for those that cannot afford services but are in need of healing. Everyone deserves a chance at living their best life!!! Stay tuned for updates 🙌🧘