Trauma , the nervous system and you 💓🫂


We often think of trauma as something that happens and then ends. A past event. A bad memory. A chapter we’ve closed.

But what if trauma doesn’t stay in the past?

What if it lingers quietly in our nervous system—shaping how we breathe, how we love, how we react, and how we see the world?

Trauma Is Not Just in the Mind

Dr. van der Kolk, a psychiatrist and trauma researcher, shares something deeply validating: trauma is not weakness, and it’s not “just in your head.”

When we experience overwhelming fear, loss, neglect, or violence, our brain goes into survival mode. This mode doesn’t simply “turn off” when the danger is gone. The trauma can stay in the body— becoming as chronic anxiety, numbing, emotional outbursts, or even physical pain.

In other words: the body remembers what the mind cannot always explain.

Why We React the Way We Do

If you’ve ever wondered why:

  • A loud noise makes your heart race…
  • A certain place or person triggers panic…
  • You dissociate, freeze, or feel numb when emotional…

…it could be your trauma talking. Dr. van der Kolk explains that trauma alters key areas of the brain—especially the amygdala (fear center), hippocampus (memory), and prefrontal cortex (thinking and decision-making). This explains why survivors often feel “stuck” or emotionally out of sync.

The most important takeaway? These reactions are not your fault. They are your body’s attempt to protect you.

Healing Requires the Body, Not Just the Mind

Traditional talk therapy helps—but it may not be enough. Since trauma lives in the body, healing must also include the body.

Dr. van der Kolk introduces methods like:

  • Yoga and movement to reconnect with the body safely
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process memories
  • Neurofeedback to train the brain’s emotional regulation
  • Theater, music, art, and touch to restore emotional expression and connection

These practices work not by reliving trauma, but by reclaiming safety—one gentle moment at a time.

Your Body Is Not Your Enemy

If you’ve ever felt betrayed by your own body—by its reactions, fatigue, panic, or pain—your body isn’t broken. It’s wise. It remembers everything that once helped you survive.

And now, it’s ready to learn how to feel safe again.

Final Thoughts

The Body Keeps the Score isn’t an easy read, but it’s a necessary one. It gives voice to pain that is often invisible and misunderstood. Most importantly, it reminds us that trauma doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

With the right tools, support, and time, healing is not just possible—it’s your birthright.


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