đ§ The Biology of Trauma: Why You Feel the Way You Do
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When we think about trauma, we often think about emotional woundsâthings we canât see but deeply feel. Whatâs less often discussed is how trauma literally reshapes the brain, rewires the nervous system, and impacts the body in profound ways. Understanding the biology of trauma can be a game-changer in your healing journey. It helps shift the narrative from âWhatâs wrong with me?â to âWhat happened to meâand how is my body protecting me?â
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đ Trauma Is a Body Response, Not Just a Memory
Trauma doesnât just live in your mindâit lives in your body. When you experience something overwhelming, especially in childhood, your nervous system kicks into survival mode: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. These responses are designed to protect you. But when trauma is unresolved, your nervous system can get stuck in these patterns, long after the danger has passed.
This is why you might feel constantly on edge, numb, reactive, disconnected, or exhausted. Your body is doing its best to keep you safe, based on outdated programming. This isnât a flawâitâs biology.
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đ§Ź How Trauma Impacts the Brain and Body
Unresolved trauma can disrupt the brainâs key structures:
- Amygdala (the alarm system): becomes hyperactive, making you feel constantly threatened.
- Hippocampus (memory and context): may shrink, affecting how you remember and process events.
- Prefrontal Cortex (rational thinking and regulation): can go offline under stress, making it hard to concentrate, plan, or regulate emotions.
In the body, trauma can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system, leading to chronic stress responses. This contributes to real physical symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
- Autoimmune flare-ups
- Muscle tension
- Chronic pain
- Hormonal imbalances
The body keeps the scoreâoften through illness, tension, or unexplained health conditions.
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đ ď¸ Youâre Not BrokenâYouâre Wired for Survival
The good news? Your brain and body are incredibly resilient. Through trauma-informed healing practices like nervous system regulation, somatic work, breathwork, CBT, energy healing, and spiritual psychology, you can rewire your internal system. You can teach your body that it is safe again.
Healing starts with understanding. When you know whatâs happening biologically, you can begin to approach yourself with compassionânot blame. You can stop asking, âWhy canât I just get over it?â and start asking, âHow can I support my nervous system to feel safe again?â
You are not weak. You are not too damaged. Your body and brain have been protecting you in the best way they knew how. Healing trauma isnât about fixing what's brokenâit's about restoring balance, trust, and safety within yourself. And that healing is absolutely possible.
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If you're ready to take the next step in understanding and healing your trauma, explore my Phoenix Coaching Collection or get in touch for personalised support.