The Body Remembers: Trauma Stored in the Body

You may have heard of the famous book The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. The title itself carries so much truth: our bodies hold the memory of trauma far longer than we realize.

Have you ever jumped at something and thought, “I don’t know where that reaction came from?” That’s trauma living in front of you. Your body remembers how to react when something feels even remotely similar to a past painful event, sometimes without you consciously realizing it.

Think about soldiers returning from war, jumping at sudden bangs or loud noises. That’s trauma. But it’s not only combat veterans who experience this. Maybe you’ve suddenly flinched when brake lights flash 50 meters ahead of you, even though you were only going 20 miles an hour. Your body jolts into protection mode. That’s trauma stored in the body, resurfacing in an automatic reaction.

Or maybe you leave the room or shrink down when someone raises their voice. Does it remind you of your parents fighting? Is that the strategy your body learned back then? That’s trauma, too.

So, What Do We Do About It?

The first step is creating a sense of safety. When you feel safe, you can begin exploring what’s truly trauma and what’s simply a reaction pattern. This is best done with the support of a trusted therapist who can walk with you through the process.

I also recommend pairing therapy with mindful practices like yoga, walking, or meditation. These slow you down, bring you into the present, and help you feel in your body what safety versus danger feels like.

Why Exercise Helps Trauma Recovery

Exercise is powerful because it addresses trauma on multiple levels:

• Physically: You strengthen your body, build resilience, and when outdoors, you may also get vitamin D from sunlight. Both help regulate your nervous system.

• Emotionally: Movement boosts serotonin (stabilizes mood), dopamine (reward and motivation), and endorphins (pain relief and a natural “feel good” chemical). These help balance the chemical disruptions trauma can cause.

• Mentally: Exercise grounds you in the present moment, which is mindfulness in action. It gives your mind something to focus on other than the trauma loop.

• Socially: Exercising with others fosters connection, releasing oxytocin (the bonding hormone), which is a powerful antidote to isolation and fear.

• Spiritually: Movement, especially outdoors or in community, helps people feel connected to something bigger than themselves, nature, purpose, or meaning. That sense of belonging reduces the loneliness trauma often creates.

Final Thoughts

Your body remembers what your mind tries to forget. Trauma often shows up as automatic reactions, startle responses, flinches, shutdowns, not because you’re weak, but because your body learned to protect you.

By creating safety, slowing down, and engaging in practices that connect body, mind, and spirit, you give yourself the chance to release what’s been stored. And with time, your body can learn a new way forward.