14/05/2026
We've been getting back into writing since coming home from holidays - here's our latest piece!
Healing for your health - the link between adverse life events and health outcomes!
Things you can do to boost your well-being...
The relationship between trauma and chronic health conditions is becoming increasingly well understood through both neuroscience and public health research. One of the most influential pieces of research in this area is the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (commonly known as the ACEs Study). The study found a strong correlation between early experiences of trauma — such as abuse, neglect, family violence, substance misuse, or chronic stress in the home — and increased rates of physical and mental health conditions later in life.
While the study focused on childhood trauma, as we know trauma can occurred at any age or stage, and undoubtedly continues to have a considerable impact on both the body and the mind across the lifespan, particularly when left unaddressed. The ACEs Study demonstrated that the higher a person’s exposure to adversity in childhood, the greater their risk of developing chronic health concerns including heart disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, addiction, diabetes, and even reduced life expectancy.
Trauma impacts not only emotional wellbeing, but also the nervous system, immune system, hormonal regulation, and inflammatory responses within the body. When the body remains in a prolonged state of stress or hypervigilance, it can contribute to what is sometimes referred to as “toxic stress,” placing significant strain on physical health over time.
Importantly, trauma does not mean a person is destined for poor health outcomes. Healing is possible, and the nervous system has a remarkable capacity for repair and regulation when people experience safety, connection, and supportive interventions.
Trauma-informed approaches increasingly recognise the importance of understanding symptoms and behaviours not simply as pathology, but as adaptive responses to overwhelming experiences. Some helpful strategies for supporting healing and overall wellbeing may include developing safe and supportive relationships, engaging in therapy or professional support, practising nervous system regulation strategies such as mindfulness, breathwork, grounding, movement, or yoga, prioritising sleep and nutrition, and creating opportunities for connection, meaning, and self-compassion. For many people, healing also involves learning to listen to the body with curiosity rather than criticism, recognising that both emotional and physical symptoms can carry important information about unmet needs, stress, or unresolved experiences.
A growing body of evidence continues to reinforce a hopeful message: while trauma can profoundly impact health, resilience, supportive relationships, and trauma-informed care can also significantly improve outcomes across the lifespan.
It would be remiss of me not to mention our free events in this too. Understanding the role of inflammation and toxicity within the body and exploring ways remedy these issues also remain fundamental particularly when chronic disease is present.
Childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain. This unfolds acros...
