Stress is something that is stored and remembered by not only the mind but also by the body. Quoted from Jacob Levy Moreno “the body remembers what the mind forgets”. In other words, the physical body, specifically the nervous system, muscles and tissues retain the physiological imprint of stress, fear or trauma. In this month’s mentor article, we will discuss the mind body connection of how stress is held in the body.

A term that will be used throughout this article is somatic. Somatic means relating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind or emotions. Somatic is a term used in medicine, neuroscience and psychology/therapy. We will touch on each of these with an emphasis on the neuroscience and psychology/therapy lens.

From a scientific perspective, emotional memories are stored in the brain, while repeated stress can lead the nervous system to develop automatic response patterns throughout the body. This is why someone may experience physical sensations like a racing heart, stomach discomfort, or muscle tightness when reminded of a stressful event, even if they are not consciously thinking about it.

One way to think about how stress is stored in the body is by thinking of the body in terms of energy and energy flow. When a person experiences chronic stress, trauma or intense emotions, this flow of energy is thought to become disrupted or “blocked.” These energetic blockages are believed to contribute to emotional distress, tension, fatigue or a sense of feeling stuck. These blockages can manifest as disease and/or un-ease.

Somatic approaches focus on increasing awareness of these bodily sensations and helping regulate the nervous system. The goal of somatic practices is to help the nervous system become more flexible and reduce automatic stress responses over time. There are several somatic practices that you can do on your own, as well as somatic interventions that can be used in therapy. Two well studied and effective interventions are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT Tapping).

Below are brief descriptions of both interventions:
EMDR is a structured therapy where you briefly focus on a distressing memory while also doing a form of bilateral stimulation such as following the therapist’s moving fingers with your eyes, listening to alternating sounds, or feeling alternating taps on each side of your body. Think of your brain as having a filing system. Sometimes a traumatic memory gets “stuck” in the wrong place, so it still feels like it’s happening now. EMDR helps your brain file the memory correctly, so it becomes something that happened in the past instead of something that feels present. The goal is to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories and help the brain process them in a healthier way.

EFT Tapping involves gently tapping with your fingertips on specific points on your face, hands and upper body while focusing on a stressful thought, memory, or emotion. Imagine your body’s “stress alarm” is stuck on high. Tapping is like pressing a reset button while acknowledging what’s upsetting you. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of difficult feelings and help your nervous system settle.

There are Some Similarities Between EFT Tapping and EMDR

  • Both recognize that emotions are connected to the body.
  • Both aim to calm the nervous system.
  • Both can help reduce the emotional intensity of difficult experiences.
  • Both are often used alongside talk therapy rather than replacing it.

Here are some ecommended readings that delve deeper on the topic:

If you or someone you know is struggling with stored stress in the body know that there is help available. Strategies discussed in the article can be used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with other therapies. If you would like to learn more about accessing these supports, our EAP team is here and ready to help. You can reach out to us at 518-465-3813 to connect with our intake team, who can help you set up an appointment.

 

Written by: Meryl Tremblay, LMSW, EAP Clinician