Did you know that Safety is such a core developmental need that you may not even be aware that it's missing from your energetic make-up? Feeling unsafe can manifest in various ways. One common, but little known way to tell if you are not resonating with safety is that your body holds onto excess weight.

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between trauma and obesity. In fact, weight gain can be an unconscious protection mechanism. In these cases obesity is not the problem; unfortunately, it's the solution to feeling unsafe and exposed. But we all know that this "solution" comes with its own problems.

One woman quoted in Dr. Angie Panos' article, Secret Diet Disasters of Trauma Survivors, revealed, "I have to admit that being heavy did make me feel safer."

Weight and safety are so intricately connected that in extreme cases people who have lost large amounts of weight began self-sabotaging their progress by eating in their sleep as a way to put the weight back on and keep themselves safe. In one case study the subject was quoted as saying, "When I feel safe, the weight will come off." Another spoke eloquently of the threat created "by my wall being removed" (the wall being her weight).

Think about how very differently two people will relate to the world when one of them feels safe and the other does not.

When you feel safe you view the world as a friendly place. Your physical, mental and emotional health are a given. You expect that you will be taken care of as you continue to thrive and grow. You feel safe taking chances and moving out of your comfort zone as you express yourself out in the world. You feel confident speaking your truth, asking for help, and setting boundaries.

Everyone wants to feel safe. Taking precautions and implementing safety measures are a good idea. Of course, wearing your seatbelt, locking your house (especially if you live in the city), and looking both ways before you cross the street are wise practices. But these outer measures are no substitute for identifying and releasing the deep-seated insecurity that may be holding you back from achieving your goals.

Here are 7 tell-tale signs that you are not resonating with safety:

• You have difficulty saying No when someone asks you to do something for them, even if you don’t really want to do it;

• You sacrifice your own needs to the detriment of your personal fulfillment and well-being;

• You're not sure what you want or need;

• You feel that your needs are not as important as other people’s;

• Deep down you feel that you cannot have what you want;

• You are overworked and/or underpaid;

• Fear of _________ . Fill in the blank. It could be fear of the future, the unknown, fear of change, taking risks, speaking your truth, fear of rejection, fear of poverty, fear of illness, fear of your greatness, etc. You name it. Fear is an obvious sign that you are not resonating with safety.

If your weight is an on-going struggle and you are looking for a permanent solution, it may be time to look within. Is there a part of you that feels unsafe, exposed, or helpless? Is there a part of you that wants to hide and be shielded from unwanted attention? Once you address your inner safety issues you may find that your body drops the weight as an unneeded shield.