In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining balance—both physically and emotionally—has become increasingly challenging. As Kinesiologists, we work with the body’s energy system, which constantly interacts with our internal and external environments to try and maintain balance. In this article, we explore the fundamental challenges that affect our sense of safety and provide practical strategies to help you cultivate a deeper connection with yourself.
Trust and the Brain: A Survival Mechanism
Dr. Daniel Siegel, a leading expert in interpersonal neurobiology, highlights the deep-rooted origins of trust and safety as essential components of human survival and brain development. Our ancient ancestors relied on their communities for protection, resource-sharing, and emotional support. The ability to assess trustworthiness became hardwired into our brains over generations.
From birth, our early experiences shape our sense of trust. If our caregivers were responsive and reliable, we developed a secure foundation for future relationships. Conversely, if our needs were inconsistently met, our nervous system adapted for survival, leading to heightened stress responses. These experiences influence how our brains filter information, reinforcing beliefs about safety and connection.
The Role of the Limbic System in Safety and Trust
Amygdala – Scans for danger, assessing whether someone is trustworthy or a potential threat.
Prefrontal Cortex – Overrides fear responses and fosters trust through experience and bonding.
Attachment & Trust Formation – Early secure attachments shape our ability to trust others later in life.
Neurochemistry of Trust – Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” strengthens emotional connections and reduces stress, while cortisol increases in response to perceived danger or betrayal.
For individuals who experience neurodivergence or heightened sensitivity, these responses may be even more pronounced, making self-regulation particularly challenging. The impact of unresolved stress/trauma can manifest in various ways, including chronic anxiety, illness, 'dis-ease' and behavioural difficulties.
Neuroplasticity: Rewiring the Brain for Safety
The good news is that our brains possess the remarkable ability to adapt through neuroplasticity. Just as early experiences shape neural pathways, new experiences, learning, and environmental changes can rewire them.
Types of Neuroplasticity
Structural Plasticity – Growth of new neurons and synapses.
Functional Plasticity – The brain’s ability to shift functions from one area to another.
Examples of Neuroplasticity in Action
Blind individuals developing enhanced hearing or touch.
Stroke patients regaining abilities through therapy.
Bilingualism increasing gray matter density in language-related areas.
Meditation and mindfulness strengthening brain regions related to attention and emotional regulation.
Building Safety from Within
Creating trust and connections in others and the world around us begins with cultivating safety within. However, this can be difficult when we have learned to disconnect from our body's internal signals in order to survive. Seeking support from a skilled practitioner can help facilitate a safe reconnection with oneself, enabling the processing of unresolved trauma and reducing stress responses.
According to Dr. Siegel, interoception—our ability to sense internal bodily signals—plays a crucial role in developing insight, empathy, and self-regulation. Below is a technique that we use on ourselves as part of our 'self-care' as well as in our clinics. It is incredibly powerful in helping us to process our emotional response to life and bring it into a more rational context.
Emotional Stress Release (ESR): A Simple Self-Help Technique
Emotional Stress Release (ESR) is a gentle yet effective technique used to reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. It involves lightly holding specific points on the forehead, known as Bennett Reflex Points or neurovascular points, to promote relaxation and improve circulation.
Origins and Development
1930s – Dr. Terrence Bennett: A chiropractor who first identified these points and their connection to blood flow regulation in various organs.
1960s – Dr. George Goodheart: Expanded on Bennett's findings within Applied Kinesiology, discovering that holding these points could influence the autonomic nervous system and alleviate emotional stress.
John Thie: Integrated ESR into Touch for Health Kinesiology, making it accessible as a self-help tool for the general public.
How ESR Works
Lightly touching the neurovascular points on the forehead helps shift the body from a stress response (fight-or-flight mode) to a relaxed state (rest-and-digest mode).
This technique encourages better blood flow to the brain, supporting clearer thinking and emotional balance.
It is commonly used in Kinesiology, energy medicine, and stress management to aid relaxation, improve mental focus, and support emotional resilience.
ESR is now widely practiced by professionals and individuals as an easy, natural way to manage stress and restore inner calm.
Method:
Visualise a Safe Space – Recall a place or experience that brings feelings of relaxation and happiness. (if you can't reference anything, you can great something imaginary)
Apply Gentle Pressure – Place two fingers and a thumb (one hand) or two fingers (from each hand) on the frontal eminences (above the midpoint of each eyebrow) of the forehead.
Engage with the Stressor – While maintaining contact, think about the stressor. You may experience heightened anxiety initially—this is normal. If the sensations become too overwhelming, return to your 'safe space' until your response settles and then go back into the process.
Wait for a Shift – Over time, you should feel a sense of relaxation and detachment from the distressing memory.
Release Contact – Once you feel settled in your new relationship with the stressor, you can gently remove your hands.
Additional Practices for Inner Safety and Balance
Regular Exercise – Supports physical and emotional well-being.
Breathing Techniques – Helps regulate stress responses.
Quality Sleep – Essential for cognitive and emotional health.
Mindfulness & Meditation – Strengthens self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Engaging in Lifelong Learning – Keeps the brain adaptable and resilient.
Healthy Diet – Nourishes both the body and brain.
Why Trust Matters
Dr. Siegel emphasizes that trust is as crucial today as it was in ancient times:
In families, trust fosters secure emotional attachments.
In workplaces, trust enhances productivity and collaboration.
In society, a lack of trust leads to division and anxiety.
By understanding how trust is wired into the brain, we can create safer, more connected relationships—both personally and professionally. With awareness, practice, and the right support, we can rewire our brains for greater safety, connection, and well-being.
References Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. 2nd edn. New York: Guilford Press.Siegel, D. J. (2020). The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired. New York: Ballantine Books.
