When I was first invited to contribute to the WiseTalk newsletter series for World Movement Day, I had a very different article in mind. That was before the recent conflict.
Since the unexpected unrest across the UAE, many people have been pushed into a heightened nervous system state that, even now, is still slowly “thawing.” The number of people reaching out for guidance, trying to understand what they’re feeling and how to navigate it, has been overwhelming.
Many residents found themselves in states of dissociation or “freeze.” This is a completely natural neurological response to trauma.
So, how can movement support what people are currently experiencing?
We are hardwired to tremor or shake after something traumatic, or even during intense states of rage or heightened excitement. This natural response is the body’s way of discharging accumulated tension, stress, and trauma.
However, most adolescents and adults have learned to suppress this instinctive movement. When that discharge is blocked, the stress remains in the body, unresolved and unprocessed. The nervous system needs to complete the trauma cycle, and this is one of the ways it does so. When we interrupt that process, it can contribute to various forms of physical and emotional ‘dis-ease’.
So why do we hold on instead of allowing the body to do what it’s designed to do?
Social conditioning plays a big role. In many cultures, shaking is seen as weakness. Some religious perspectives have framed it as something inappropriate or “ungodly,” while others fear it may be linked to illness. Over time, we learn to resist something that is actually deeply intelligent and protective.
When we begin to approach this tremor with curiosity, within a safe, “rest and digest” state, we allow the body to naturally recalibrate. Realignments and adjustments can happen without the mind needing to analyse or control the experience.
But how do we access this response when we’re not actively in a traumatic situation?
The body is designed to activate “fight or flight” when faced with threat. Hormones like adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol are released to help us either confront or escape danger. If neither is possible, the body shifts into “freeze,” releasing endorphins (natural opioids) to protect us from overwhelm.
This is why many people describe traumatic experiences as feeling like an “out-of-body” state, often with fragmented or unclear memories. The body’s priority is survival, not clarity.
Once the threat has passed and the body is safe, the nervous system needs to move out of freeze, back through fight or flight, and eventually return to a regulated, socially engaged state. This process is beautifully explained through Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory displayed here:
I invite you to reconnect with this primal, natural mechanism through TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises). This approach gently guides the body back to a sense of safety, alignment, and connection, helping you feel like yourself again.
There are many ways to regulate the nervous system and heal from trauma, and TRE is one of the most powerful because it comes from within your own body.
If you’re curious to explore this, you can reach out to me directly or visit treglobal.org to find a certified TRE® provider near you. Sessions can be done one-on-one or in groups, making it a powerful tool for families, communities, and workplaces.
A group of people with regulated nervous systems creates space for cooperation, open communication, and grounded conversations.
And that is the foundation of a healthy, thriving population.
About Candice
Candice McCone is a TRE (Trauma Release Exercises) Practitioner and Human Garage Fascia Maneuver Coach whose passion lies in helping people reconnect with their bodies and access their natural ability to self-regulate. She believes your body already holds the wisdom, it’s just about learning how to listen and work with it, not against it. Through simple, powerful practices, Candice guides others back into alignment, where the body can release, reset, and restore. For her, true health and longevity begin when your body feels safe, supported, and fully alive in its own rhythm.