3 Signs Your Body is Releasing Trauma

The body can hold on to trauma in many different ways, physically, psychologically, emotionally, and physiologically. When you start to process your trauma, you might notice changes to things like breathing patterns, sleep, blood pressure, or even muscle tension. These are common signs that your body is releasing the trauma it has been holding on to for months or years.

3 Signs Your Body is Releasing Trauma

So what are the three signs your body is releasing trauma?

#1: Emotional Signs

The first are emotional signs. It’s not uncommon to struggle with extreme mood swings, going from things like unexplained happiness to feeling overwhelmed to feeling great relief without any other known cause.

Other emotional signs might be sudden outbursts where you are completely irritable or crying. These are natural ways for your body to process your emotional stress, with some types of crying scientifically known to remove and flush toxins from the body.

#2: Physical Signs

The second are physical signs. These often include things like relief around the shoulders, neck, and jawline, where you may be holding physical tension. As your body starts to process your trauma, you may notice changes to your blood pressure, maybe a slower heartbeat. You might also feel your muscles relax throughout the body with changes to your extremities.

#3: Behavioral Signs

The third are behavioral signs. These often include changes to your energy and sleep patterns. Your energy levels will fluctuate, going between restlessness and hyperactivity, often as your body starts to process the trauma and then has to recover from the energy it took to do so. Similarly, your sleep patterns might change as your body starts to repair itself. You might end up sleeping more than usual, but it’s not uncommon to experience insomnia as well.

Treatment for Trauma

If you are struggling with the history of trauma, trauma-informed therapy is an approach that can offer relief from your symptoms. With East Coast Recovery, we provide a therapeutic approach that’s based on a neurological understanding of how your brain processes trauma, and we translate that information into very effective therapy that helps you cope with your symptoms without causing additional trauma.

With the right treatment, you can work with therapists you trust, in a setting where you are comfortable, and receive more direct influence over the types of programs in which you participate and the evidence-based, holistic options that help you stabilize and deal with emotional and physical signs of trauma.

Find Support for Trauma at East Coast Recovery

With our trauma treatment program, you can participate with your therapists in a way that actively avoids re-traumatization. Our programs work hard to avoid additional trauma that might lead to worsening symptoms or secondary mental health concerns. By working with our team, you are empowered with a collaborative approach that gives you peer support and control over the type of treatment you receive.

Call East Coast Recovery at (617) 390-8349 today to see how our trusted recovery center can help you overcome trauma.

FAQs

Are There Physical Signs Your Body is Releasing Trauma?

Yes, there are physical signs that your body is releasing trauma, often things like changes in muscle tension around the neck or jawline, or in the tops of your shoulders. As you start to release trauma, you might notice your shoulders sitting lower, no longer being drawn up toward the ears, or slight reverberating pain along the jaw and the teeth from where you might have been clenching, especially during sleep.
As these physiological shifts take place, you might also experience a slower heartbeat and blood pressure, reduced shaking or tingling in your hands and feet.
Is Being Tired a Sign I Am Releasing Trauma?

Yes, being tired can be a symptom that your body is releasing trauma. When individuals hold on to trauma, it can often be held physically in the form of muscle tension as well as emotionally. As you work through that trauma as part of an outpatient program, the healing that comes from no longer being restless or hyperactive can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. Be kind to yourself during this time and recognize the ways you can support your health and help replenish your energy.
What Are The Emotional Signs Your Body is Releasing Trauma?

The emotional signs that your body is releasing trauma can look different for everyone. How individuals hold trauma might be more physical than psychological. If, for example, you have been holding on to trauma that you are now letting go, it’s not uncommon to experience things like intense sadness, mood swings that don’t have any other cause, or unexpected crying.
Does Crying Release Trauma?

Yes, crying is a known mechanism that activates your parasympathetic nervous system. This activation helps to flush things like toxins and stress hormones from your body. As such, if you experience crying while processing your trauma in things like CBT sessions or after sessions, it’s a normal way for your body to release these toxins, activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and release chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins, which can reduce your emotional and physical pain.
Can Trauma Be Healed?

Trauma cannot be erased in the sense that it is no longer there, but you can certainly heal from trauma and manage symptoms with professional therapy, including CBT. With our team, we help you cope with triggers and reclaim your sense of control over life without being overwhelmed by your symptoms.
What Should I Do If My Body is Releasing Trauma?

There are many things you can do when you notice your body releasing trauma. If, for example, you are feeling fatigued or noticing a lot of muscle tension, mindful movement like gentle dancing, yoga, or stretching can help release that energy. If you are noticing emotional signs along with things like changes to blood pressure or breathing, you can follow things like guided meditation to help bring your breathing patterns back down.
With East Coast Recovery, we can help you find the right form of support and coping tools to manage the physical, physiological, and emotional signs that your body is releasing trauma. With our flexible outpatient programs, we make it possible to receive the care you need for underlying mental health disorders and untreated trauma while also overcoming addiction.