The Top 10 Signs You Have Stored Trauma in Your Body

The Top 10 Signs You Have Stored Trauma in Your Body

 


You know those aches and pains that seem to come out of nowhere? That tension in your shoulders, the brain fog that won’t clear, or the exhaustion that follows you even after a full night’s sleep?

It might not just be stress. Your body could be holding onto unresolved trauma—and trying to get your attention.

According to Harvard research, trauma doesn’t just affect your mind—it impacts your entire body, increasing the risk of chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, and heart disease (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020).

Before those deeper issues take root, your body often whispers warnings. Here are 10 common signs that trauma might be stored in your system:

1. Trouble Sleeping

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking in a panic can signal an overactive nervous system. Trauma keeps the body alert, even when you want to rest (Carlson & Garland, 2005).

2. Digestive Issues

Bloating, constipation, or stomach pain—despite a good diet—can be your gut reacting to emotional stress. Your gut and brain are in constant communication (Pert, 1997).

3. Hip or Jaw Tension

Long-term pain in your hips or jaw often indicates where your body is holding trauma. These are two areas that commonly store emotional tension (Koch, 1995).

4. Chronic Muscle Clenching

Feeling like you're always braced for something? That’s a trauma response. Clenched shoulders, tight fists, and jaw tension are common signs of stored stress (Levine, 1997).

5. Brain Fog and Disconnection

Struggling to concentrate, remember things, or feel fully “present”? That mental fog can be your body’s protective way of dissociating to feel safe (Nummenmaa et al., 2014).

Why These Signs Are Overlooked

You may have been told it’s “just stress,” that your blood work is normal, or that you just need more sleep. But most medical systems don’t address how trauma affects the nervous system—and how that shows up in the body.

How to Start Healing

You don’t have to live in a constant state of tension or fatigue. At Soma, we use somatic practices to help you reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and safely release stored trauma.

Our Soma Online Program gives you a step-by-step path to begin healing—from the inside out.

 

Want to heal your nervous system and get your energy back?
 Start your healing journey with Soma today.
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References

  • Bessel van der Kolk. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Viking.
  • Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). How to boost your immune system.
  • Carlson, L. E., & Garland, S. N. (2005). Impact of MBSR on Sleep and Mood. Int J Behav Med.
  • Koch, L. (1995). The Psoas Book. Guinea Pig Publications.
  • Nummenmaa, L., et al. (2014). Bodily Maps of Emotions. PNAS.

 

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