Trauma is often described as something that affects the mind, but it can also show up in the body. After a distressing or overwhelming experience, many people notice physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, stomach issues, sleep problems, numbness, or feeling constantly on edge. These reactions can feel confusing, especially when there is no obvious physical illness. But trauma can affect the nervous system, and the body may stay in a state of alert long after the event has passed. In that sense, the body may carry stress responses that were once useful for survival but are no longer needed. Why trauma affects the body When something traumatic happens, the body can move into fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown mode. This can lead to increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, digestive changes, and sleep disruption. For some people, the response is obvious; for others, it shows up as emotional numbness, fatigue, or a sense of disconnect from the body. Trauma-informed and somatic approaches recognise that healing is not only about talking through what happened. It is also about helping the body feel safe again. That is why body-based regulation tools can be so helpful alongside counselling. Common physical signs