One of the biggest misconceptions about mental health is that it’s all in the head, that healing is strictly mental and emotional work. In reality, true healing is holistic. It involves the mind, the emotions, the body, and even the spirit, highlighting the mental and physical health connection.
The Mental and Physical Health Connection in Western Culture
In Western culture, we know that inner healing must be done mentally and emotionally. We have countless therapies and tools for this, from CBT and ACT to EMDR and ART. These modalities help us face painful memories, change unhealthy patterns of thought, and find new freedom from distress. This work is life-changing, but it’s not the whole story.
The Physical Side of Healing
What we eat, how we sleep, our fitness, and the presence of chronic pain all impact our emotional well-being. And the reverse is also true, our mental health directly affects the health of our physical bodies.
As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk writes in The Body Keeps the Score:
“Trauma victims cannot recover until they become familiar with and befriend the sensations in their bodies.”
Research shows unresolved trauma can leave imprints on the body, sometimes contributing to chronic stress or health challenges. The encouraging part is that as trauma begins to heal, the body often begins to heal as well.
A Surprising Personal Transformation
In my own life, I saw this connection in a dramatic way. After starting trauma therapy, I lost 60 pounds, and I’ve kept it off. For years, intentional weight loss felt like an uphill battle.
Looking back, the biggest shift wasn’t a diet or workout plan, it was the removal of emotional weight. Trauma had left stored emotions in my body, constantly prodding me and triggering urges to eat as a way to cope or avoid pain. Once I began processing and releasing those emotions, the cycle of emotional eating loosened its grip. For the first time, weight loss felt sustainable, because I wasn’t fighting against my own body’s attempt to soothe unresolved wounds.
Case Study: Emotional Release and Migraines
A friend of mine battled migraines for more than a decade. They tried medications, new diets, and countless remedies, but nothing brought lasting relief. It wasn’t until they began trauma therapy facing grief they had buried for years, that things started to shift.
As they released emotional pain, the frequency and intensity of their migraines dropped noticeably. While this doesn’t mean all migraines come from trauma, it’s a reminder that emotional healing can sometimes create unexpected changes in physical symptoms.
As Dr. Gabor Maté notes in When the Body Says No:
“The mind and body are not separate entities but an integrated whole. What happens in one happens in the other.”
If You’re Struggling with Physical Symptoms
If you’re struggling with unexplained physical symptoms, I’d encourage you to pause and ask yourself: Do I also have patterns of emotional avoidance? Are there memories that feel unresolved, or distressing thoughts that resurface, even if they don’t seem directly tied to your physical pain?
If so, it may be worth seeking the help of a trauma-trained therapist who uses ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). These approaches are designed to uncover whether trauma or stored emotion might be contributing to what your body is carrying.
Practical Tools for Everyday Use
Healing doesn’t always start in a therapist’s office. Here are a few simple practices that can support both body and mind. You don’t need to do them all, just find one that feels easiest and most natural for you:
- Bilateral Stimulation Music – Audio that alternates left to right (like a gentle ping-pong effect in headphones) can help calm the nervous system. (Fun fact: EMDR itself was discovered when a therapist noticed her anxiety easing while walking. The bilateral rhythm of her steps triggered relief.) This can be grounding, though it’s not a replacement for therapy. Click Here to Listen to My Compiled Playlist
- Vagus Nerve Relaxation – Humming, chanting, or slow diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, shifting the body into a calmer “rest and digest” state.
- Tapping and Movement – Gentle tapping on the arms or face, or even just going for a walk, can ground you in the present and reduce overwhelm.
- Journaling – Writing down experiences or insights helps you notice patterns and track your healing journey. Even if journaling doesn’t come naturally, it’s worth trying especially after a profound breakthrough.
Final Takeaway
Not all physical symptoms are purely physical. Sometimes, what shows up in the body is actually the echo of unresolved emotional pain. When we address both together, mind, body, and spirit. Healing often becomes possible in ways we never expected.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you’re experiencing physical or emotional symptoms, please seek care from a licensed therapist or medical provider.