Your Body Remembers: The Connection Between Trauma & Physical Health
We’ve all heard the phrase mind over matter. Trauma, however, can live in the body as much as in the mind.
It can show up as tension in your shoulders that never fully relaxes, a racing heartbeat when nothing’s wrong, or stomach aches that flare during stressful moments.
These reactions are your body remembering.
How Trauma Shows Up in the Body
When we go through overwhelming experiences—whether sudden or repeated over time—our bodies go into survival mode.
This can mean a rush of stress hormones, changes in breathing, or muscle tension that once helped protect us.
But when the danger is gone and the body never gets the signal to relax, those survival patterns can stick around.
Sometimes that shows up as chronic pain or muscle tightness that lingers no matter how much you stretch.
It can look like headaches that arrive at the worst possible moments or a stomach that knots up when emotions run high.
Sleep might become restless.
Energy may dip and stay low.
Even the immune system can feel the effects, leaving you more vulnerable to illness.
Why the Body Holds On
Your nervous system’s main job is to keep you safe.
Sometimes that means holding on to sensations, patterns, or reactions just in case you need them again.
It’s like a security system that stays on high alert—even after you’ve moved to a safer neighborhood.
The Good News: Your Body Can Heal, Too
Just like your mind can learn new patterns, your body can relearn what safety feels like.
Therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, breathwork, and mindfulness help the nervous system release the tension and stored memories that keep it in “fight or flight.”
Gentle practices such as yoga, stretching, walking, or even mindful dancing can rebuild the connection between body and mind, reminding you that it’s okay to rest.
You’re Not Broken
Feeling the effects of trauma in your body doesn’t mean you’ve failed at healing—it means your body has been working hard to protect you.
With the right tools and support, it can also learn to rest, restore, and thrive.
Your body is not the enemy—it’s your partner in healing.
It remembers the pain, yes, but it can also remember peace.
If you’re ready to explore therapy or EMDR intensives that address both mind and body, visit Healing Insight Therapy & Wellness Collective.
We’re here to help you feel safe in your own skin again.
