Every emotional state we experience—whether it’s happiness, anger, fear, or stress—creates a specific chemical mix in our bodies. Think of it like your body brewing up a unique cocktail, depending on what you’re feeling. If you’re always in a good mood, your body is brewing a happy cocktail. If you’re stuck in a cycle of fear or anger, your body is brewing a whole different mix, one that’s more geared up for fight or flight. Understanding this chemical cocktail is key to breaking the cycle of negative emotions and resetting your body’s natural balance.
Now, trauma comes into play when something significant shakes us up, physically or emotionally. The bigger the trauma, the stronger the chemical cocktail it creates. And here’s the tricky part: the more intense the trauma, the harder it becomes to go back to a place of balance.
Most people can bounce back after a rough patch. They go through something tough, feel the emotional weight of it, but eventually, they return to their baseline—whatever that is for them. But there are those of us who struggle to return to that baseline. Once we’ve been through something really traumatic, it can change our body’s chemistry in such a way that it’s almost impossible to go back to “normal.”
And the even more dangerous part is that we might get stuck in that negative state, even if the thing that caused it is long gone.
Here’s what happens on a deeper level: Our cells in the body are kind of like little workers. They’re each equipped with “keyholes” that only certain chemicals can unlock. These chemicals—hormones, neurotransmitters, and other biological substances—tell the cells how to function. When everything is running smoothly, all of our cells are getting the right kind of chemical signals to do their jobs. They’re all in sync, working together to keep the body running at its best. This balance of chemicals is what we call homeostasis, or simply, balance.
But trauma messes with that. Whether it’s a minor stressor or something more intense, your body releases chemicals to help you cope with the situation—chemicals like cortisol for stress or adrenaline for fight-or-flight. In the moment, these chemicals are useful, designed to help you survive. But when these chemicals flood your system for too long—especially after trauma—it causes a disruption in that chemical balance. It’s like throwing a big boulder into a calm, still lake. Everything gets thrown off course.
When that balance is disturbed, it messes with the food your cells are used to receiving. If the body’s chemical mix is off, it’s like your cells are suddenly starving for the nutrients they need to function properly. This is where things get tricky. Your cells stop performing the way they should, and as a result, the entire body starts to feel the impact. They stop being able to do their jobs—whether that’s repairing tissue, fighting infections, or keeping everything running smoothly. Instead, what takes over is a sort of “war mode.”
When we experience trauma, the body shifts into fight-or-flight mode, and your cells get flooded with survival chemicals. These survival chemicals are the only things your cells are getting now—chemicals like adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress hormones. And this shift can go on for so long that it becomes the new norm, which can make it very hard when breaking the cycle of negative emotions. Your cells start to get addicted to these chemicals. They’re no longer receiving the “repair” chemicals or the “rest” chemicals that they need to keep things running smoothly. Instead, they’ve been hijacked by the “war chemicals,” and it’s like the whole system goes into a defensive, combative state.
When your body’s cells become addicted to these stress chemicals, they start craving more of them. It’s like a habit they can’t shake. And when there’s no real war to fight, your cells start sending messages to the brain, begging for more of the “war chemicals.” The brain, in turn, looks for new stressors or conflict to trigger that response.
This creates a vicious cycle. The body is constantly in a state of alert—always on the lookout for problems or conflicts to maintain the chemical imbalance that it’s grown accustomed to. In a way, it becomes addicted to the stress itself, making breaking the cycle of negative emotions very hard to do. And because the brain and body are now working in sync, it becomes harder to break free from this cycle of emotional and physical stress.
This is what happens when someone is stuck in a constant state of anxiety or emotional pain. They’re essentially living in a body that is addicted to stress. It doesn’t matter whether the original source of that trauma is still present. The body gets used to operating at this heightened level of stress, and in a way, it starts to feel normal—even though it’s anything but.
And that’s where the healing process becomes crucial. The longer we stay stuck in this negative state, the harder it becomes to break the cycle. But it’s not impossible. You can retrain your cells, your body, and your mind to return to a healthier, more balanced state. It starts with your thoughts. If you can control what you focus on—if you can start shifting your thoughts away from fear and stress—you can begin to change the way your body responds.
Controlling your thoughts isn’t a magic fix, but it’s a powerful tool. Thoughts lead to emotions, and emotions lead to chemical changes in the body. If you can start redirecting your focus away from negative, stress-inducing thoughts, you can begin to restore balance to your body’s chemistry. Over time, this can break the cycle of addiction to stress hormones and allow your cells to get back to a more natural, healthy state.
The key takeaway here is that it all starts with you. The power to break the cycle of trauma and stress is in your hands, but it begins by taking control of your thoughts and shifting your mindset. Breaking the cycle of negative emotions is a process, but with time, focus, and dedication, you can begin to restore your body to a state of balance—where your cells are nourished, your mind is calm, and your emotions are aligned with a healthier, more balanced chemical state.
PART 2
Practical Ways to Breaking the Cycle of Negative Emotions – Homeostasis
When it comes to changing the chemical imbalance in our bodies—especially after trauma or long-term stress—practical action is essential. It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of how the body works, but the truth is that you can start making small shifts today that will have a huge impact on your overall well-being. Let’s look at four powerful, simple ways to disrupt that negative homeostasis and restore balance to your body and mind.
1. Laugh – The Brain Can’t Tell the Difference
One of the most underrated, yet incredibly effective tools in breaking a cycle of negative emotions is laughter. What’s amazing is that the brain doesn’t differentiate between real laughter and the laughter you might fake. As soon as the body starts to laugh—whether it’s a genuine, belly-deep laugh or a forced chuckle—it releases a whole cocktail of positive, feel-good chemicals into the system. This includes dopamine and endorphins, the same chemicals that are released during exercise or moments of true joy.
Laughter has been scientifically proven to reduce stress hormones and bring down the level of cortisol in the body. For me, watching comedians was a game-changer. I found humor in both English and Spanish, which not only broke me out of a negative cycle but also gave me an opportunity to embrace two languages I love. Whether it’s watching stand-up on YouTube, going to a comedy show, or simply finding humor in everyday life, laughter is a direct way to disrupt your body’s current state and flood it with feel-good chemicals.
The key here is consistency. Just like anything else that’s good for you, the more you practice it, the stronger the effect. Commit to laughing every day, even if it’s for a few minutes, and you’ll start to see the difference. The body loves this kind of disruption. Breaking the cycle of negative emotions is like throwing a big stone into a stagnant pond, sending ripples of positivity throughout.
2. Get Moving – Exercise as a Natural Reset Button
Exercise is another powerful tool in the fight against negative homeostasis. When we’re caught in a cycle of stress or trauma, it’s easy to forget that our bodies are designed to move. The problem is that when we’re stuck in a negative mental space, we often lose touch with the simple joy of movement.
I found that riding a mountain bike near the beaches where I lived was a perfect remedy. The fresh air, the movement of my body, and the joy of being in nature all worked together to release feel-good hormones. Endorphins, often referred to as the body’s natural “painkillers,” are triggered by physical activity and create a feeling of euphoria.
But this isn’t just about cycling; it could be anything that gets your body moving—whether it’s walking in the park, hiking through nature, or even dancing in your living room. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re engaging your body and allowing it to release the stress. Exercise is like a reset button for the body. It literally forces the body to shift its focus from stress hormones to happiness hormones, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes to shift your state.
3. Be Creative – The Power of Creativity in Healing
Creativity isn’t just for artists or musicians. It’s something we all have access to, and it plays a critical role in healing and balancing our body chemistry. Engaging in creative activities—whether it’s painting, writing, cooking, gardening, or any other form of creative expression—floods your system with dopamine and serotonin, which are key chemicals for good mental health.
Creativity shifts your focus. It pulls you out of the negative cycle of stress by giving you a task that demands your attention. The beauty of creativity is that it’s all about process, not perfection. Whether you’re writing in a journal, trying your hand at a new recipe, or simply rearranging your furniture, you’re sending a signal to your brain that you’re engaged, you’re present, and you’re doing something positive for yourself.
This process is essential for breaking the cycle of trauma-induced negativity. The act of creating can help you reconnect with your body and mind, allowing you to release the pressure that builds up from focusing on stressors and negative thought patterns. Creativity opens up new pathways for healing and helps you reclaim the energy that stress and fear have drained from you.
4. Practice Mindfulness – Focus on the Here and Now
Mindfulness is all about being present, really present, in the moment. Whether you’re exercising, writing, or even just having a cup of coffee, mindfulness helps you focus on the task at hand without getting swept up in the “war chemicals” that flood your system when stress or trauma takes hold.
The key is redirecting your thoughts. It’s so easy to get caught up in a spiral of negative thinking, especially when you’re dealing with the aftermath of trauma. But by focusing on the present moment—on the physical sensations, the task at hand, or just breathing deeply—you break the grip of those stress hormones. You allow your body to shift out of fight-or-flight mode and into a state of calm.
Mindfulness doesn’t require any special tools or a perfect environment. You can practice it while taking a walk, cooking, or even doing the dishes. The practice is simple: focus on what you’re doing right now, let go of distractions, and let your body relax into the present. Over time, this practice helps reduce the influence of negative thought patterns and restores a more balanced, peaceful state of mind.
A Small Step Toward Big Change
What’s important to remember is that none of this requires a massive overhaul of your life. You don’t need to take drastic actions or spend a lot of money. The key to healing and shifting your homeostasis is to take small, consistent steps toward something better.
Laughter, exercise, creativity, and mindfulness are powerful tools that don’t come with a hefty price tag but can help you overcome the hold that stress and trauma have on your body. The best part is that you’re the one in control. The moment you decide that you want to break the cycle and make a change, you start the process of healing. It’s a choice, and it starts with taking that first step toward a new, balanced state of being.
So, commit to one of these practices today, and watch as you begin to rebuild a positive, balanced life.
Thoughts Have Power.
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