The Connection Between Body and Mind: How Trauma is Stored in the Body

Our body and mind are inseparably connected. This insight is not new, but in recent decades, scientists have intensively researched how deeply psychological stress affects our physical health. The Dutch-American psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk vividly describes in his book The Body Keeps the Score how trauma influences not only our mental state but also our nervous system, hormonal balance, and overall physical well-being.

How Does the Body Store Trauma?

Trauma is not just an emotional experience; it is also a physical reaction. When we face a threatening situation, our nervous system automatically triggers one of three responses: fight, flight, or freeze. These survival mechanisms are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history and are designed to protect us. However, when the threat is overwhelming or unresolved, the traumatic experience can become "stuck" in the nervous system.

Van der Kolk explains that unresolved trauma can manifest as chronic tension, unconscious movement patterns, or even psychosomatic symptoms. Those affected may suffer from muscle stiffness, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, or a persistently heightened stress level—even long after the traumatic event has passed.

The Role of the Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in trauma processing. It consists of two main components:

• The sympathetic nervous system, which activates the body’s fight-or-flight response.

• The parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation and recovery.

Trauma can cause the nervous system to become dysregulated. Some individuals experience excessive sympathetic activation, leading to anxiety and hypervigilance. Others become trapped in a persistent freeze state, dominated by the parasympathetic system, resulting in exhaustion, low energy, or depressive symptoms.

The Path to Healing: Body-Oriented Approaches

Since trauma is deeply embedded in the body, cognitive processing alone is often insufficient. Many traditional therapy approaches focus primarily on talk therapy, but true healing requires integrating the body into the process. Van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of body-based techniques such as:

• Mindfulness & Meditation: Cultivating awareness of bodily sensations helps regulate the nervous system.

• Yoga & Movement Therapy: Specific movements can release stored tension in the body.

• Breathing Techniques: Conscious breath control can calm the autonomic nervous system.

• Somatic Experiencing (SE): A therapeutic method aimed at gently resolving frozen physical responses.

• And much more..

  
  

Conclusion: The Body Never Forgets—But It Can Heal

Trauma is not just a memory in the mind; it is a deeply ingrained experience in the entire body. Those struggling with trauma must involve both their mind and body in the healing process. Understanding this connection is a crucial step toward lasting transformation and inner freedom.

By learning to listen to our bodies and allowing them to self-regulate, we can heal old wounds and reclaim our full potential.

If any of these symptoms apply to you, I'm happy to support you with my trauma-intervention-coaching.

Also I highly recommend reading the book "The body keeps the score" written by Bessel van der Kolk.