Let me tell you a story. A group of mice in the lab were introduced to the smell of cherry blossoms, while being zapped with mild electric shocks. These mice were then bred. Their children and grandchildren, when exposed to the smell of cherry blossoms, showed a strong fear and anxiety reaction.

For millennia under patriarchy, women have been oppressed. When they reached for the cherry blossoms of what they authentically desired – loving who they love, being heard, seen, making their own money, having an impact in the world – they suffered traumatic consequences much more severe than mild electric shocks.

This intergenerational trauma still lives in our systems. Although we’ve come a long way toward gender equality in the short few decades, our biology hasn’t caught up to our opportunity. As we color outside the lines of what historically has been allowed for women, our subconscious interprets it as unsafe and drives our nervous system into a fight, flight, or freeze response. It is so automatic and chronic that we don’t realize it’s happening. This state of stress is so familiar and normal, we don’t even recognize that we’re stressed. I’ve termed this condition that has been passed down to us from previous generations, Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD).

So as you can see, if you have trouble sleeping, slowing down to smell the roses, delight in playing with the kids, or melt into toe-curling orgasms – this is not your personal issue. It is collective. It is generational. And the good news is – we can heal PSD!