How Trauma Lives in the Body and Ways to Let It Go
- Griffin Oakley
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
When something scary, painful, or overwhelming happens, it doesn’t just affect your mind—it also affects your body.
Many people I work with at Curious Mind Counseling say things like:
“I know I’m safe now, but my body doesn’t feel safe.”
“I get upset so fast, and I don’t know why.”
These reactions don’t mean something is wrong with you. They mean your body is still trying to protect you.
How Trauma Stays in the Body
Your body has a built-in alarm system. When something bad happens, it tries to keep you safe. You might freeze, feel numb, or get ready to fight or run.
If the danger doesn’t stop—or if no one helps you feel safe afterward—your body can stay stuck in “survival mode.” This can lead to:
Tense or aching muscles
Stomach or digestion problems
Trouble sleeping or feeling rested
Feeling tired all the time
Jumping at sounds or touch
Feeling disconnected or spaced out
You might feel like your body is always bracing for something bad, even when nothing is happening.
Your Body Remembers, Even If You Don’t
You might not remember everything that happened to you. But your body often does.
You might flinch at certain voices, feel panic when someone gets too close, or shut down when you’re asked to share your feelings.
This is common for people who grew up without safety, care, or support—especially if you weren’t allowed to have big feelings or ask for help. Over time, your body learns to keep things locked away to survive.
Ways to Let Go of Stored Trauma
Healing takes time, but it is possible. You don’t need to “get over it.” You need ways to feel safer in your body. Here are a few gentle ways to start:
1. Ground Yourself in the Present
Focus on what you can feel right now. Wiggle your toes. Hold something with texture. Notice the air on your skin. These little things can help remind your body that you’re here, and you’re safe.
2. Move Gently
Stretch, walk, sway to music—any small movement that feels good to you. This helps your body release stress. Don’t force anything. Let it be simple.
3. Use Your Breath
Slow breathing can calm your nervous system. Try breathing in for 4 seconds and out for 6 seconds. Notice how your chest or belly moves as you breathe.
4. Talk to a Trauma-Informed Therapist
A therapist trained in trauma can help you feel seen and supported. At Curious Mind Counseling, I work with people healing from CPTSD, childhood trauma, identity struggles, and more. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.
5. Build Safe Connections
Healing often happens through safe relationships. This might be a friend, a partner, or a therapist—someone who helps you feel calm, heard, and accepted.
For People With Complex Trauma
If you grew up in a home that was unsafe, chaotic, or emotionally cold, your nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode. That’s not your fault. You did what you had to do to survive.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means helping your body feel like it’s not in danger anymore.
You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Body
Your story matters. Your pain is real. And healing is possible.
If you’re looking for trauma therapy in Florida or LGBTQIA+ counseling in Oregon, we’re here to help. You deserve to feel grounded, connected, and whole. Let’s take the next step together.
