5 Signs Your Body Is Still Holding Onto Past Trauma (And What to Do About It)

Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it lives in our bodies. Even long after painful experiences are over, the body can carry the imprints of what happened, holding tension, fear, or vigilance as if the danger never ended. Recognizing the signs that your body is still holding onto trauma is the first step toward releasing it and finding peace.

Here are five powerful signs to look out for—and what you can do to begin healing.

1. Persistent Muscle Tension or Pain

You might notice tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or recurring stomach aches without a clear medical cause. This is often your nervous system staying stuck in a state of hyper-vigilance, bracing against threats that aren’t there anymore.

What to Do:
Somatic practices, like gentle body scans and grounding exercises, help you reconnect with your body safely. Our Somatic Therapy Practice Cards offer simple, daily techniques—like shaking, stretching, or breath-based grounding—that can release held tension gently over time.

2. Feeling “On Edge” or Overreactive

If small stresses trigger big reactions—snapping at loved ones, feeling flooded with anxiety, or shutting down completely—it could be your body signaling unresolved trauma.

What to Do:
Calming the vagus nerve is essential here. Practices like humming, slow exhaling, or gentle neck stretches can signal safety to your nervous system. The Vagus Nerve Practice Cards provide easy, step-by-step ways to regulate your nervous system and create a sense of safety from within.

3. Difficulty Sleeping or Resting

Trauma often keeps the body “on guard,” making it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or truly rest. You might wake up tense or exhausted, as if your body never fully let go.

What to Do:
Affirmations can help reframe your internal dialogue before sleep. Our Trauma Recovery Affirmation Cards offer gentle reminders of safety and worthiness. Pairing affirmations with relaxation practices—like vagus nerve breathing—can retrain your body to settle into deep rest.

4. Emotional Numbness or Disconnection

Do you ever feel cut off from your emotions, your body, or even the people you care about? Dissociation or emotional numbing is a protective response the body uses when overwhelm feels too great.

What to Do:
Small, consistent strategies help rebuild connection. Our Trauma Recovery Strategy Cards suggest manageable steps—like naming three sensations in your body, reaching out to a supportive friend, or writing down your feelings in a journal. Over time, these practices remind your body that it’s safe to feel again.

5. Difficulty Trusting Yourself or Others

Trauma can leave you questioning your instincts, second-guessing decisions, or feeling unsafe in relationships—even when there’s no threat. This can be exhausting and isolating.

What to Do:
Daily affirmations can rebuild trust and self-belief. Cards like “I am safe to trust myself” or “I deserve supportive and caring relationships” can be powerful anchors. Combining affirmations with somatic grounding allows the message to be felt not just in your mind but also in your body.

Final Thoughts

Healing trauma is not about “getting over it”—it’s about creating safety, trust, and resilience in your body and mind. By noticing the signs of unresolved trauma and practicing small, consistent strategies, you can gently release what your body has been holding onto.

That’s why we created my Trauma Recovery Affirmations and Trauma Therapy Strategy Cards, along with the Somatic Therapy and Vagus Nerve Practice Cards. Together, they provide daily tools to help you regulate your nervous system, shift your mindset, and feel more at home in your body.

🌿 Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it all at once—just one gentle step at a time.