Your Body Holds Memories

Your body keeps score.

Did you know that your body remembers experiences even when your conscious mind does not?

Have you ever become upset by something seemingly trivial? It could be a scene in a movie, a joke you hear in passing, or a simple word, smell, or sound that triggers a strong emotional response that you can’t quite explain.

 Your body may react physically with the feeling of pressure in your chest, knot in your stomach, shaky hands, shortness of breath, or heat. It may also react with anxious emotions or thoughts. 

These responses may be indicators of trauma. 

Our bodies adapt to the environment so that we can survive. When your body interprets a threat in your environment, it will kick into fight-or-flight mode in order to escape the threat. The stress from the event comes, and then (ideally) leaves your body when you make it to safety. 

When you experience trauma, however, stress gets trapped in the body.

Something amazing our bodies do for us when we experience something overwhelmingly painful is keep the memory out of our conscious minds. Sometimes this is through suppression (knowing it happened but choosing not to think about it) or repression (completely forgetting the memory).

So, while our bodies always remember, our minds may not. Trauma embodied may show up in various types of chronic pain, as well as emotional responses that seem disproportionate to the situation.

If you experience this, please know: there’s nothing wrong with you. 

Next time you feel strong emotions or sensations in your body, notice. Try giving yourself compassionate attention.

Instead of approaching yourself with judgment, try curiosity. Instead of condemnation, try compassion. 

Remember, your body is FOR you. Lean in with love.