Christine Northrup, M.D. has said that the biggest health challenges this country faces right now are the fear and anxiety caused by threats of war and terrorist attack. She reminds us that emotions such as fear and anger impede healing of health problems we already have, and may lock us into a vicious cycle of tension that creates more pain, more fear, and more anxiety.

However, she reminds us in a recent newsletter, there are things we can do. There are ways we can work to help keep ourselves safe and create peace in our bodies, minds, and spirits. She instructs us to do five things to help us reach these goals.

This seminar will explore physiological effects of stress, trauma, and anxiety, and stress-related illnesses that may develop as a result. We will investigate the nature of trauma, so we understand better the "triggers," "disconnects," and patterns of avoidance that maintain the trauma and prevent healing. Unfortunately, because neurological disconnects that occur in the presence of trauma happen at a cellular level, talking about trauma often does not help. Fortunately, there are non-verbal ways to access parts of the self that have been split off in order to help us function and protect us from pain.

Dr. Northrup’s list of instructions is something she has used and is using to protect herself and her daughters. What methods of coping with trauma, stress, and anxiety have you found helpful? Come and share your experience. And experience hypnoanalytic relaxation, Chi Gung (repetitive movements to calm and heal), and metta (meditation to calm the mind and heal the heart).

Medicinal foods may also be helpful for comfort and for balancing emotions. Some new supplements are also available to help with the anxiety, depression, and insomnia associated with stress and trauma. Come and taste-test some medicinal foods! Learn to make these foods in your own home.