Trauma and Your Body, How are They Connected?
Trauma is a word that's thrown around a lot these days, but what exactly does it mean? It can be a single event—like being attacked by an animal or rejected by your friends. Or it can be an ongoing experience like living in poverty or feeling unsafe. Trauma can even be something you don't realize has happened until years later, like watching your parents fight every night when you were little.
Did you know that trauma is stored in our bodies? In this article, I will discuss the connection between body and mind when it comes to healing from trauma.
How is Trauma Stored in the Body?
Your body is like a computer that is constantly storing all of your experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly. When you experience trauma, it can be stored in various forms including physical pain, chemical reactions, and emotions.
For example, if you were assaulted by someone who knocked you down during an attack, your brain would remember this as pain somewhere on your body (e.g., lower back or knee). This can become chronic pain or arthritis later in life if not addressed properly at an early age.
The emotional component often gets overlooked when talking about trauma though because we tend to focus on how physical symptoms play out over time rather than looking at how being overwhelmed by emotions may affect us internally long after an incident has occurred.
What are the Effects of Trauma on the Body?
Trauma can have a profound effect on your body. The effects of trauma are not limited to mental or emotional symptoms; they can also include changes in the way you feel about yourself, your relationships, and even your work.
When our brains perceive a threat—whether it's real or imagined—our bodies react as if we were physically harmed by releasing adrenaline and other hormones that flood our system with energy. This reaction helps us cope immediately with a threat but also leaves behind long-lasting physical symptoms when the danger has passed.
How do you Heal trauma in the Body?
If you are experiencing trauma, there are many ways to help yourself heal. It is crucial to find what works for you and make it a priority. Here are some ideas:
Talk with a therapist or other trained professional who can guide you through the process of healing.
Meditation has been proven to improve both mental and physical health by lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety levels, and raising self-esteem (just to name a few benefits).
Physical massages can be a great way to release any physical tension that builds up in the body, as well as regular exercise.
These are all great ideas separately, they work best when used as a packaged deal.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of trauma and its effects on your body. There is no doubt that understanding the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and actions is an important part of life, and to seek out help when we begin to see and feel how our trauma affects our bodies.
To find out more about my services, click here: Trauma Therapy
