Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind, it settles into the body. Occupational Therapist at Netcare Akeso Montrose Manor, Fierdous Achmat, unpacks the neuroscience behind the mind–body connection and explains how stress, trauma, and emotion are stored somatically. From chronic nervous system activation to dissociation and healing through embodied awareness, she explores why recovery requires more than insight alone
“Current neuroscience shows us that trauma isn’t just something we remember, it’s something the body learns,” notes Fierdous, enlightening that when a person experiences trauma, especially if it’s chronic or occurs early in life, the brain’s threat-detection systems can remain on high alert, while areas involved in reasoning, emotional regulation and interoception, or awareness of the body’s internal signals, may become disrupted. “Over time, this changes how the nervous system responds to the world.”
She further enlightens that because trauma is processed through the nervous system, it’s often stored and expressed somatically, or in the body, through muscle tension, posture, breath patterns, digestive issues, chronic pain, or a persistent sense of agitation or numbness.
“These bodily responses aren’t random; they’re adaptive survival strategies the body developed to stay safe when safety wasn’t guaranteed.”
Affirming that neuroscience helps us understand that these responses are not signs of weakness or “maladaptive thinking,” but deeply ingrained physiological patterns. “Therefore, healing isn’t just about insight or willpower, it involves helping the nervous system learn, slowly and safely, that the present moment is different from the past. When the body begins to feel safer, the mind can follow.”
Glamour: How do chronic stress responses alter physiological systems over time?
Fierdous: When stress becomes chronic, the body stops treating it as a temporary state and begins to live in it. The nervous system remains locked in survival mode, repeatedly activating fight, flight, or freeze even when there’s no immediate threat. Over time, this constant vigilance reshapes how the body functions. Stress hormones like cortisol become dysregulated, affecting sleep, digestion, immunity, inflammation, and metabolism. The autonomic nervous system also loses its natural rhythm, making it harder to shift between activation and rest. Many people describe feeling perpetually “on edge,” emotionally reactive, or strangely disconnected from basic bodily signals such as hunger, fullness, and fatigue.
Neuroscience reframes this as adaptation rather than dysfunction. The body is responding exactly as it was trained to under prolonged strain. Healing, then, isn’t about forcing calm or “fixing” behaviour, it’s about restoring flexibility, safety, and trust at a physiological level. When the body relearns how to settle, the mind no longer has to stay on guard.
Glamour: What evidence supports somatic approaches in trauma treatment?
Fierdous: A growing body of research shows that trauma is not fully resolved through cognitive insight alone, which has led to increased interest in somatic approaches that work directly with the nervous system. These approaches are grounded in neuroscience and psychophysiology, recognising that trauma alters brain–body communication, not just conscious thought.
Studies on methods such as somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, trauma-informed yoga, and body-based mindfulness show improvements in symptoms including hyperarousal, dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and chronic stress. Neuroimaging and physiological research also suggest that these approaches support regulation of the autonomic nervous system, helping individuals regain a sense of internal safety and bodily awareness.
Importantly, somatic work doesn’t replace traditional talking therapies; it complements them. The strongest evidence supports integrative models that combine cognitive understanding with body-based regulation. By addressing trauma at the level where it is held in the nervous system, somatic approaches help create conditions for more sustainable, embodied healing.
Glamour: How do emotions such as joy, safety, and pleasure register in the body neurologically and hormonally?
Fierdous: Emotions like joy, safety, and pleasure are deeply embodied experiences. Neurologically, these feelings activate areas of the brain such as the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex, which process reward and positive experiences. This helps the body register safety by slowing heart rate and dampening stress responses.
Hormonally, these emotions spark the release of “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. Dopamine drives pleasure and motivation, oxytocin promotes trust and connection, and endorphins give that natural sense of euphoria that comes from laughter, touch, or even mindful eating. Essentially, what we feel in our minds is mirrored in our bodies.
Glamour: Can somatic awareness reduce reliance on cognitive processing in trauma recovery?
Fierdous: Absolutely. Somatic awareness can be a powerful complement, or even alternative, to purely cognitive approaches in trauma recovery. Trauma is often stored in the body, creating tension, hypervigilance, or dissociation, which can make thinking through experiences alone feel overwhelming or insufficient. By tuning into bodily sensations through breathwork, gentle movement, or mindful attention to tension, people can start to release trauma directly through the nervous system, rather than relying only on analysis or verbal processing.
In my experience, helping someone reconnect with their body in this way can create a sense of safety and grounding that words alone often can’t provide. It’s about learning to listen to physical cues, notice areas of tension or discomfort, and respond with care. This approach allows the mind and body to work together, creating a deeper, more embodied path toward healing.
Glamour: How does dissociation interfere with mind–body integration?
Fierdous: Dissociation is the mind’s way of creating distance from overwhelming experiences, which can be protective in the short term, but it also interrupts mind–body integration. When someone dissociates, they may feel disconnected from their body, emotions, or the present moment. Neurologically, this often involves reduced activity in areas responsible for emotional processing, making it harder to recognise physical cues or respond adaptively to stress.
This disconnection can slow healing, as the body’s signals, like tension, heart rate changes, or muscle tightness, go unnoticed. Practices that encourage gentle bodily awareness, such as mindful breathing, grounding exercises, or slow movement, help rebuild the link between mind and body. Strengthening this connection fosters presence, emotional regulation, and overall resilience.
Glamour: What are the limitations of somatic frameworks in clinical practice?
Fierdous: Somatic approaches offer powerful tools for reconnecting with the body and regulating the nervous system, but they are not a universal solution. One limitation is that they may not fully address the cognitive, emotional, or relational aspects of trauma; relying solely on body-based techniques can leave some psychological patterns unprocessed. Additionally, somatic work requires careful guidance. Without proper support, intense bodily sensations can feel overwhelming or retraumatising.
Another consideration is that not every individual responds the same way. Factors like neurological differences, chronic stress, or mental health conditions can influence how effective somatic interventions are. In clinical practice, the most effective approach often integrates somatic awareness with talk therapy, cognitive strategies, and other evidence-based treatments, creating a holistic path toward healing.
Despite these limitations, somatic frameworks can be profoundly transformative when used thoughtfully. They provide a way to cultivate presence, safety, and self-regulation, allowing individuals to access experiences that might otherwise remain inaccessible. When combined with other clinical methods, somatic awareness can strengthen resilience and help people reconnect with both their bodies and their emotional lives.
Glamour: How do cultural and developmental factors shape bodily responses to stress and trauma?
Fierdous: Our bodies don’t respond to stress and trauma in a vacuum. From early on, both culture and development quietly shape how our nervous systems learn to react, what feels safe, what feels threatening, and how we instinctively protect ourselves. Over time, these patterns become embodied, showing up as tension, shutdown, hypervigilance, or emotional numbing, often without conscious awareness.
Early life experiences are especially influential. The way caregivers respond to distress teaches the body how to regulate itself. When comfort and consistency are present, the nervous system learns how to settle after stress. When they’re not, the body may stay in a heightened state of alert or learn to disconnect as a form of self-preservation. These responses are adaptive, even if they later feel limiting.
Culture adds another layer. Cultural norms influence how emotions are expressed or suppressed and how rest, productivity, and resilience are valued. In some environments, pushing through discomfort or minimising emotional needs is encouraged, which can cause stress to be stored in the body rather than released. In others, community support, ritual, or shared expression can offer built-in regulation and relief. Understanding these influences helps reframe stress responses with compassion. When bodily reactions are seen as learned adaptations rather than personal shortcomings, it opens the door to healing. Reconnecting the mind and body becomes less about “fixing” and more about gently reshaping patterns that once served a purpose but may no longer be needed.
Glamour: In what ways can clinicians safely guide clients toward body-based awareness?
Fierdous: When it comes to body-based awareness, safety and pacing matter more than anything else. Clinicians can begin by inviting clients to notice small, neutral sensations like the feeling of their feet on the floor or the rhythm of their breath, rather than diving straight into intense bodily experiences. This keeps the process grounded and helps the body learn that awareness doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Choice is key. Clients should always feel in control, with clear permission to slow down, shift focus, or stop entirely. Something as simple as asking, “Does this feel okay to stay with?” can make a big difference. Using gentle, non-judgmental language helps keep curiosity front and centre, instead of pressure or performance.
Grounding techniques are often woven in to support this process. For example, a clinician might guide a client to name five things they can see in the room, press their feet into the ground, or hold onto a textured object if emotions start to rise. These small anchors help bring awareness back to the present moment and prevent the nervous system from tipping into overwhelm. At its best, body-based work isn’t about forcing connection, it’s about creating the right conditions for it to unfold naturally. When somatic awareness is paired with trust, relational safety, and reflection, clients can begin to rebuild a sense of comfort in their bodies, one moment at a time.
Glamour: How is emerging research reshaping traditional mind–body dualism in psychology?
Fierdous: For years, psychology treated the mind and body like separate roommates, but new research is proving they’re deeply intertwined. From neuroscience to trauma studies, emerging findings show that our thoughts, emotions, and physical states are in constant conversation. Stress doesn’t just live in the mind; it shows up in our sleep, digestion, immune system, and even how we move through the day.
Brain imaging and nervous system research have helped shift this outdated split, revealing that emotion, sensation, and movement are tightly connected. In other words, how we feel emotionally is inseparable from how we feel physically. This has helped explain why practices like movement, breathwork, and grounding can have such a powerful impact on mental wellbeing.
Trauma research has been especially influential, showing that the body often holds onto experiences long after the story fades from memory. Symptoms are now understood less as “malfunctions” and more as protective responses the body learned over time. Together, this research is reshaping psychology into something more human and holistic, where healing isn’t just about changing your thoughts, but about reconnecting with your body and learning to feel safe, present, and at home in it again.
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