Have you ever wondered why some experiences seem to linger, affecting not just your thoughts but your entire body? Maybe you’ve caught yourself reacting strongly to a seemingly small trigger, or you feel tension in your body that just won’t go away. This isn’t your imagination—it’s your body’s way of holding onto unresolved emotions and trauma.
As an EFT practitioner applying neuroscience principles, I’ve seen how realizing the relationship between emotions, feelings, and the body can empower people to break free from patterns that hold them back. Let’s explore how this works—and more importantly, how you can start to heal.
What’s the Difference Between Emotions and Feelings?
Emotions are your body’s automatic response to stimuli—quick, instinctive, and deeply rooted in survival. They’re triggered by the brain’s limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which acts like your body’s alarm system. For instance, if you hear a sudden loud noise, fear might flood your system before you even think about it.
Scientifically, emotions are designed to be fleeting. Neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor explains that the physiological lifespan of an emotion in the body is about 90 seconds. Once the brain processes a trigger, the body releases a surge of chemicals like cortisol or adrenaline, and these chemicals naturally dissipate within that time frame.
So why do emotions sometimes seem to last far longer? The answer lies in our thoughts. When we replay a triggering event or attach meaning to it, we prolong the emotional state, turning it into a feeling—a conscious experience shaped by our interpretation of the event.
- Emotions are universal and automatic. Everyone feels fear, joy, or anger.
- Feelings are personal and subjective. They’re colored by your thoughts, memories, and beliefs, and they can linger far beyond the initial emotion.
Why Trauma Stays in the Body
When a traumatic event occurs, the natural emotional cycle often gets interrupted. Instead of the brain fully processing the experience, the overwhelming nature of trauma floods the body with stress hormones like cortisol. If the body cannot return to balance, the trauma becomes stored in the tissues and nervous system.
Why Trauma Sticks More When We’re Young
Trauma is particularly impactful in childhood because the brain and nervous system are still developing. As children, we don’t have the tools or context to process overwhelming experiences. Instead, the body prioritizes survival, often “locking in” the unprocessed chemicals and emotions as a protective mechanism.
Key reasons trauma lingers in the body from childhood include:
- Immature Brain Development: The prefrontal cortex (responsible for rational thinking) isn’t fully developed in children, so the amygdala dominates. This makes emotional processing incomplete, leaving unresolved feelings stored in the body.
- Chronic Stress States: In cases of repeated trauma, like neglect or abuse, the nervous system adapts to the constant stress by staying in a state of heightened arousal, embedding those stress chemicals into the body’s memory.
- Survival Mechanisms: A child’s brain prioritizes survival over emotional resolution. If crying, expressing fear, or seeking help feels unsafe, the body suppresses those responses, storing the unresolved trauma physically instead.
The Science of Trauma Storage
Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in the body. Research shows that trauma is stored in the fascia, the connective tissue that holds the body together, and in the autonomic nervous system, which governs your fight-or-flight response. This storage happens because unprocessed trauma creates energy blocks in the body.
The Chemical Story of Trauma
- Unprocessed Memories: In non-traumatic events, the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center) timestamps memories, filing them as part of the past. Trauma, however, bypasses this system. The amygdala stays in high alert, acting as though the danger is ongoing.
- Physical Manifestations: Trauma leaves physical imprints—tightness in the chest, knots in the stomach, or chronic pain. These symptoms persist because the nervous system remains stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode.
- Triggers and Activation: Even years later, certain stimuli—like a smell, sound, or image—can reactivate these stored memories, causing flashbacks or intense emotional reactions.
Why It’s Not “All in Your Head”
If you’ve ever been told to “just let it go,” you know how dismissive and frustrating that can feel. Trauma isn’t just a psychological issue—it’s a whole-body experience. Your body remembers what your brain couldn’t process.
For example:
- Do you feel a knot in your stomach when thinking about a past argument?
- Does your chest tighten when you’re reminded of a loss or betrayal?
These are signs that your body is holding onto unprocessed emotions. Until they’re released, they’ll continue to affect you—both emotionally and physically.
The Role of EFT in Releasing Trauma
This is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can be life-changing. EFT combines gentle tapping on specific meridian points with focused affirmations to calm the body’s stress response and release stored trauma.
How EFT Works
- Calms the Amygdala: Tapping sends signals to the brain that it’s safe, reducing the fight-or-flight response.
- Releases Stored Tension: EFT works directly with the physical sensations of trauma, helping to release the energy trapped in your body.
- Reframes Negative Beliefs: EFT rewires the brain’s neural pathways, replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones.
A Path to Freedom
Imagine waking up without the weight of the past pressing down on you. Imagine feeling light, free, and fully alive in your body. This is possible, no matter how deeply trauma has rooted itself.
EFT is a gentle yet powerful tool that allows you to process those stuck emotions without retraumatizing yourself. It’s not about reliving the pain—it’s about releasing it.
Take the Next Step
Healing isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about reclaiming your life. If you’re ready to release the grip of the past, let’s work together.
- Book a free consultation to see how EFT can help you.
- Download my guide: 5 Steps to Release Emotional Pain with EFT.
- Join a session and start tapping into your freedom today.
Your body holds the key to your healing. Let’s unlock it together.