The Healing Power of Connection.

I know firsthand that it can feel incredibly lonely going through chronic illness.

 There was a long time when I was sick that I felt very alone—before I ever knew that anyone else had healed from chronic fatigue.

I spent two years feeling like I was crazy before I found anything on the internet about TMS and mind-body work.

During that time, I truly believed I was the only one experiencing what I was going through.

I am so grateful that I eventually found Raelan Agle’s recovery story, and then so many more recovery stories through Dan Buglio’s channel.

Hearing other people speak about the same way I felt was a huge shift for me. I was amazed to realize that I was not the only one who had experienced such strong and debilitating neuroplastic symptoms.

That realization became a major turning point in my healing journey—both because I learned that healing was possible, and because I finally understood that I was not alone.

It can feel deeply lonely being at home for long periods of time, especially if you are homebound. It can also feel extremely lonely when the people you love don’t fully understand how you are feeling or what you are going through. I know my partner tried his best to understand, but the truth is, you can’t truly understand this journey unless you’ve experienced something similar yourself.

I am here to tell you that you are not alone—and you are most definitely not crazy for how you are feeling.

We all experience suffering. We all feel the same emotions. It may not be over the same life circumstances, and there are a wide range of ways that bring us suffering.

I am often reminded that we are all connected when I speak with my childhood best friend. We were inseparable as kids. However, in our adult lives, we have become quite opposite in our interests and the way we live.

Sometimes I can get caught up in thinking we have nothing in common anymore. However, every time I speak with her on the phone, I am reminded that we both cry over things.

We both want love from our family and partners.

We both have experienced illness and loss.

Meaningful connection with others supports healing by triggering the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which lowers cortisol and blood pressure.

In addition, connection helps co-regulate the nervous system, guiding it out of survival mode (the trauma response) and into a more grounded, thinking state.

When we feel connected, our brain and nervous system experience a sense of safety.

If you are feeling alone, you may try reaching out to a friend or family member just to talk. You can ask how they are doing and simply listen.

It can be so helpful to step out of our own looping thought patterns, to connect, and to realize that you are not alone.

Please reach out with any questions that you may have.

Or if you simply want to say hello and feel connected, I would love to hear from you.

With compassion,

Alisha Braswell