Let’s talk about something your body’s probably been trying to tell you for a long time: ✨ You don’t just experience trauma.
✨ You store it—in your body.

That tight jaw? The heaviness in your chest? The tension in your shoulders that just won’t quit? Those aren’t random. They’re signals—somatic breadcrumbs—pointing to deeper experiences your body has held onto for years.

In this post, we’re diving into the science behind how trauma gets stored in the body, how it affects your nervous system and energy, and seven specific areas where high-achieving women tend to hold that trauma. I’ll also walk you through simple, doable ways to begin releasing what no longer serves you.

The Truth About Trauma Storage

You’ve probably heard the phrase “the body keeps the score.” It’s more than just a quote from a book—it’s a biological reality.

Your body is your nervous system. It’s not just some shell carrying your brain around. Your system constantly scans for cues of safety or danger. Dr. Stephen Porges calls this process neuroception—your body’s subconscious surveillance system. It doesn’t ask for your permission. It just reacts.

When something overwhelming happens—whether it’s a big, obvious trauma or a subtle, chronic stressor—your nervous system remembers. Not just what happened, but how it felt.

In the moment, your brain shifts into survival mode. Your prefrontal cortex (the rational part) goes offline. Your amygdala (the fear center) takes over. Cortisol floods your system. Blood flows away from digestion and toward your limbs in case you need to fight or flee.

If there’s no closure—no restoration or repair—your body holds on to that state. Trauma isn’t stored like a memory. It’s stored as sensation: tight jaws, shallow breaths, clenched guts. And talking about it, while helpful, isn’t always enough to resolve it.

That’s where somatic healing comes in.

Somatic tools help you work with the body, not just the mind. You regulate from the bottom up—from sensation to cognition. And you create new neural pathways that help you feel safe.

Trauma creates detours in your nervous system. Patterns that once protected you—but now keep looping. The good news? You’re not stuck. You’re patterned. And patterns can change.

So let’s walk through seven areas where trauma often settles—and how you can begin to release it.

7 Places Women Store Trauma—and How to Release It

1. Jaw – Suppressed Anger & Unspoken Truths
This is where we hold what we don’t say. Whether you’ve been told to “be nice” or trained yourself to keep the peace, the jaw can become a pressure cooker for unspoken frustration.

You might notice: TMJ pain, teeth grinding, or clenching during stress.

Try this: Lion’s breath, jaw massage, or humming to soften and release tension.

2. Shoulders – Carrying the Weight of the World
Your shoulders are where invisible responsibilities live. If you’re the one who “does it all,” this is likely your body’s holding zone.

You might notice: Tightness, stiffness, or heaviness—especially after intense caregiving or decision-making.

Try this: Shoulder rolls, progressive relaxation, or somatic shaking to release built-up strain.

3. Chest – Grief, Heartache & Gasping for Air
When emotions get heavy, your chest can constrict. You pull in. You close off. Especially when pain hits close to the heart.

You might notice: Shortness of breath, pressure, or tightness across your chest.

Try this: Breathwork—especially the physiological sigh (two quick inhales, one long exhale)—to soften and open this space.

4. Gut – Anxiety, Fear & the Need to Control
The gut doesn’t lie. It processes not just food, but emotion. And it’s deeply tied to your sense of safety.

You might notice: Bloating, IBS symptoms, or nausea when facing uncertainty or stress.

Try this: Diaphragmatic breathing, belly massage, or placing a warm hand on your stomach while breathing slowly.

5. Throat – Silenced Voice & Emotional Containment
The throat connects your truth to your expression. If you’ve learned to “tone it down,” you may find yourself holding back here.

You might notice: A lump in your throat, tightness, or resistance to speaking up.

Try this: Vocal toning (like humming or soft “ahh” sounds), gentle neck rolls, or singing to reconnect with your voice.

6. Lower Back – Instability, Financial Fear & Unsupported Survival
This area often reflects fears around survival—money, safety, having your needs met.

You might notice: Persistent lower back pain during life transitions or financial stress.

Try this: Lay flat with knees bent and gently press your back into the ground. Child’s pose and gentle rocking also help reset this area.

7. Legs & Feet – Freeze Response & Feeling Stuck
When your system goes into freeze, energy stagnates in the legs. You may feel unmotivated or disconnected—not because you’re lazy, but because your body learned to shut down.

You might notice: Heaviness, numbness, or a sense of being “unplugged” from your lower body.

Try this: Heel drops (rise onto your toes, then drop your heels quickly) or walking barefoot outdoors to reconnect with grounding.

A Gentle Reminder: Start Small

You don’t have to do all of these. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about listening. Responding with curiosity. Practicing with kindness.

Pick one area that resonated. Try a practice once this week. Then observe—how does your body feel? What softens? What shifts?

That’s the beginning. And if you want to go deeper—this is what we do in Burnout Recovery Blueprint. We practice nervous system healing together, in community. With somatic tools that are evidence-based and actually doable.

Because your body isn’t your enemy—it’s your guide. It remembers everything. But what’s been stored can also be released. You’re not broken. You’re brilliant. And you were made to feel safe in your body..

Related Links:

• Previous Episode
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• Overwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body

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