Supermoon Gazing - Building Capacity to Navigate Emotional Triggers Caused by Stress and Trauma

Building Capacity by looking at the moon. Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Child and teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA

Did you pause to look at the amazing moon last week? Sometimes we rush around so much we take things for granted. By pausing and noticing we can build capacity into our day. Building our capacity helps us navigate emotional triggers caused by stress and trauma responses.

October 6^th through October 9^th was a Supermoon. In Rockingham County it was so big and bright at times that it felt like I could reach out and touch it. The moon was stunning with its different shades of white and its blinding brightness! I could feel its power and its presence. It was amazing that it could be seen clearly before and after dark if you looked up into the sky. It lit up my yard at 5 am as if it were daytime!

Experiencing Awe by looking at the moon. Spiral Roots LLC Child and Teen Therapy Harrisonburg va

I was stopped in awe on numerous occasions by its beauty. During one of those awe-stricken moments, I was walking into the gym, and as I stood outside moon gazing, multiple people asked me if I was ok. I would then point out the moon. They continued to rush by. In my morning class I took an inventory of who had noticed or paused to intentionally look at the moon. Those who had taken notice were few and those who had intentionally paused to look at the moon were fewer. No judgments, life is busy and 5:30 am gym goers are on a mission!

I was reminded that sometimes we rush around so much that we take things for granted. In this instance the moon. Yes, it is in the sky every night. What’s the big deal you ask? By pausing and noticing small things of beauty, especially nature, we can calm our nervous system and build capacity into our day. Building our capacity helps us navigate emotional triggers caused by stress and trauma responses.

Building our capacity helps us navigate emotional triggers caused by stress and trauma responses.

Pausing and intentionally noticing the moon to build capacity for trauma responses

By pausing and intentionally noticing and breathing in an aspect of nature we increase our ability to experience Awe. Awe then can enable creativity and deeper thought processes. As our thoughts expand, we can find gratitude and empowerment. These positive feelings can then spread to other areas and people in our lives. Creating greater capacity to navigate the negative assaults on our nervous system throughout the day.

I invite you to engage in a little nature therapy and pause intentionally the next time we have a super moon (November 5 and December 4, 2025). Or simply go outside and intentionally gaze at the moon we have tonight! Taking note of how it looks and how it makes you feel inside. Notice how your body responds after expanding your breath as you quietly observe, listen, and notice the moon and the night sky.

Invitation to nature base therapy for children and teens in Harrisonburg VA

Melissa Deaton Cook LPC provides therapy for children and teens in Harrisonburg, VA at Spiral Roots LLC where she integrates nature-based therapies in helping her clients regulate their nervous systems and build capacity to overcome the effects of anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns. Connect with her today.

Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA

Serving the Shenandoah Valley -Harrisonburg, Staunton, Rockingham County, Augusta County, and Page County from Dayton, VA

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