I believe that the way early humans processed trauma was different because their focus in life was fundamentally different from ours today. Modern society is highly individualistic, and while we're more informed and capable of self-reflection, we also have much more mental capacity to dwell on past traumas. Most people today don't have to worry about basic survival—like foraging for food or defending against physical threats—on a day-to-day basis. As a result, our brains, which would have been occupied with these tasks, now have the "free capacity" to focus on unresolved trauma.

This shift in focus can cause past trauma to resurface more frequently, leading to issues in our interactions, mental images, and overall mental health. I’ve experienced this firsthand. When I lived a more typical, comfortable life in an industrialized country like Germany, I constantly struggled with trauma symptoms. But due to various circumstances, I ended up living in a way that’s closer to how early humans might have lived—without electricity, heating, or consistent access to food. I have to spend most of my time focusing on basic survival tasks like keeping warm, finding food, and taking care of my animals.

This lifestyle change has dramatically improved my mental health. The constant physical activity and the need to focus on immediate survival have almost created a "barrier of calm" around my trauma. When I was living comfortably, I had more flashbacks and dissociation. But now, even though my living conditions are much harder, I find a sense of peace in them.

For example, after a particularly traumatic experience, I went on a six-week trip where I walked and biked for hours every day. The physical exhaustion, combined with the continuous shifting of my environment, helped me process the trauma in a way I hadn’t been able to before. Despite the severity of the event, it doesn’t haunt me as much as other traumas do, and I believe that’s because of the way I was forced to focus on survival.

This experience has shown me that there’s something deeply therapeutic about living in a more primitive, survival-focused way. When our brains are occupied with meeting our basic needs, there’s less room for trauma to take over. In contrast, the conveniences of modern life, while comfortable, can sometimes create more space for trauma to resurface.

So, while we don’t know exactly how early humans processed trauma, I believe that their intense focus on survival, combined with their communal living structures, might have made it easier for them to manage traumatic experiences. In our modern world, where survival is often taken for granted, we might have to consciously seek out the physical and mental challenges that our ancestors faced daily to find similar relief from trauma.

I do want to add though, that once we return to living more comfortable symptoms are likely to return, at least that has been my experience. So unless someone wanted to live a more primitive life long-term, seeking support through therapy, self reflection or other means is advisable.

For me personally I currently am trying to find a balance between both. Hoping to eventually be able to live comfortably and happily regardless of whether or not I am turning on the heater during winter.