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The Opposite of Stress is Safety

The Opposite of Stress is Safety: Healing Trauma in a Climate of Dehumanization

In today’s turbulent world, many individuals are experiencing profound stress as their very right to exist is being threatened.  This week a client of mine wanted me to hear some history for fear she would be exterminated and the information would die with her.  It is because of that conversation with her that I am writing this blog.   I want her to know she isn’t alone and to share a little of the history.   

When a group of people is dehumanized—when their identity, safety, and dignity are called into question—it creates an overwhelming sense of fear, uncertainty, and trauma. The impact of such dehumanization goes beyond politics; it seeps into the nervous system, creating chronic stress that affects both mental and physical health.

As a somatic trauma therapist in San Diego, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply oppression and systemic violence can impact the body and mind. This article explores the link between stress, safety, and trauma while offering practical ways to foster healing.

Reminders of Nazi Persecution of Marginalized Groups

History has shown us what happens when people are stripped of their humanity. Under the Nazi regime, numerous groups were targeted and persecuted, including Jewish people, Romani people, disabled individuals, political dissidents, and LGBTQ+ individuals such as gay men, lesbians, and transgender people. The horrors of this era still echo in today’s world, as certain gestures, rhetoric, and policies continue to reflect those dark times.

Recently, gestures that could be taken as Nazi salutes have surfaced in political events. Whether you believe this gesture was an intentional nod to Nazi ideology or not, it is disturbing to see. For many, this gesture is a painful reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime and can serve as a trigger for those who were present during those times or who have inherited generational trauma from these events.

Gay men were arrested under laws like Section 175 and sent to concentration camps, where they faced brutal conditions, forced labor, and execution. Lesbians and transgender individuals, though often overlooked in historical records, were also persecuted and subjected to immense violence. The Nazi regime systematically sought to erase these communities, a horrifying reminder of how dehumanization can escalate into outright violence. The echoes of that past are felt today, as some groups face renewed attacks on their existence, rights, and dignity.

The Link Between Stress and Safety

Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert on trauma, states: “Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.” When people live in fear—whether from systemic oppression, political persecution, or personal violence—their nervous system remains in a state of hypervigilance. This chronic stress takes a toll, leading to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Stress is not just an emotional state; it has a profound effect on the body. When we feel unsafe, our nervous system engages in a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. Over time, this can lead to:

Increased inflammation in the body

Digestive problems and autoimmune issues

Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue

A heightened risk of heart disease and other stress-related illnesses

Creating safety—physically, emotionally, and socially—is essential for healing. Somatic therapy, which focuses on the connection between the body and mind, offers a way to process and release this stress, allowing individuals to move toward a sense of wholeness and security.  

I was at a training with Dr. Maté last week when a young woman whose mother is from Mexico and whose father is First Nation asked how to have compassion for people who want to deny her right to exist.   He asked her if she really wanted to have Compassion for them and she rightfully said, “no”.   She want to fight 

 

How Somatic Therapy Can Help with Stress

Somatic therapy is an approach that recognizes trauma is stored in the body, not just in the mind. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but it often does not address the physical imprint of trauma. Somatic modalities such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Compassionate Inquiry can help individuals:

Recognize and regulate their nervous system

Release stored trauma and stress from the body

Develop a greater sense of internal safety

Rebuild a connection to their body and emotions

For individuals experiencing oppression or systemic trauma, somatic therapy can be especially powerful. It helps reclaim autonomy over one’s body and nervous system, counteracting the effects of dehumanization by reinforcing a sense of worth and safety.

Creating Safe Spaces and Resisting Dehumanization

In addition to personal healing, it’s crucial to create safe spaces where marginalized individuals can feel seen, supported, and valued. Here are some ways to foster safety in your community:

Validate and Listen – Acknowledge the lived experiences of those facing dehumanization. Let them know they are heard and that their pain is real.

Educate Yourself and Others – Understanding history and recognizing patterns of oppression can help prevent further harm.

Offer Tangible Support – Whether it’s financial aid, legal resources, or emotional support, taking action makes a difference.

Advocate for Rights and Protections – Speak up against discriminatory policies and push for change in your community.

Create Trauma-Informed Spaces – Whether at work, school, or within social circles, ensuring environments are inclusive and supportive can help individuals feel safer.

Healing from trauma is not just an individual journey—it is a collective effort.

Seeking Support for Healing

If you are struggling with trauma, stress, or feelings of unsafety due to the current political and social climate, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Therapies like Compassionate Inquiry, EMDR, Brainspotting, and IFS can help process trauma and restore balance to your nervous system.

As a trauma therapist in San Diego specializing in somatic healing, I offer a compassionate space for individuals seeking support. If you are ready to start your healing journey, contact me at shay@overcomeanxietytrauma.com to book a session or consultation call.

You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to heal. And you deserve to exist exactly as you are.