Becoming a Cycle Breaker: Healing Intergenerational Trauma with Compassion and Resilience

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of unresolved trauma and its psychological, emotional, or even physical effects from one generation to another. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals' mental health, coping mechanisms, and relational patterns. The cycle of intergenerational trauma underscores the importance of acknowledging, understanding, and actively addressing inherited wounds to break free from its influence on future generations.

On today’s On Health episode, I’m joined by the incredible Mariel Buque, PhD, author of Break the Cycle: who wants us all to learn to unravel the threads of family trauma, and becoming cycle breakers so we can heal the burdens of suffering carried forward by so many families across generations. 

In this powerful episode, we explore: 

  • What intergenerational trauma is and how it can affect our physiology, mental health, relationships, economics, and more. 
  • The profound connections between our individual experiences and the echoes of our ancestors' pain.
  • Resilience and stress tolerance as essential tools for breaking the intergenerational trauma cycle.
  • How to expand your window of resilience and respond to life's challenges with greater awareness and purpose."
  • How compassion becomes a powerful ally, fostering understanding and acceptance of our shared human struggles."
  • How mothers can be preemptive cycle breakers, initiating the healing journey even before conceiving.
  • The landscape of family estrangement and tools for reconciliation before resorting to estrangement.
  • Mariel's approach centers around the concept of an upward spiral, emphasizing small, consistent mindful actions for reshaping the nervous system.

Resources for those seeking guidance, including Mariel's book, "Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma."

Join us in this episode's transformative conversation on health, healing, and well-being, as we become architects of a future unburdened by the weight of generational pain.

Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements


2356 232

Suggested Podcasts

HealthSpan Media

Adam Crisafulli

Flathead Beacon

Forever35/Caroline Moss

Erik Ratensperger

David Stanley

Olakunmi Elijah

Shweta Susmita

Ela green