When Your Body Remembers and The Impact of Trauma on Your Health Journey
- Feb 26, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 27, 2025
Jasmine is an exceptional Trauma-informed Emotional Eating Holistic Health and Wellness Coach who gracefully manages her roles as a dedicated mother, wife, and leader in various church ministries. Her journey is marked by notable accomplishments, such as co-authoring two Amazon number 1 Best-Selling books and attaining the esteemed title of a number 1 International best-seller.
Have you experienced your heart racing during a stressful conversation or your stomach tightening in an uncomfortable situation? Maybe you've noticed intense cravings surface during emotional moments or your digestion acting up when certain memories arise.
These aren't random reactions; they're your body speaking its truth about past experiences that have left its mark. Even before your mind has time to process what's happening, your body remembers and responds.
As a trauma-informed health coach, I've observed a pattern that many women experience: They're doing everything "right", following nutrition plans, exercising regularly, practicing stress management, yet something keeps pulling them back. Often, that something is the way our bodies hold onto past experiences, creating patterns that affect our health in ways we might not recognize.
Your body remembers everything. Every stressful experience, every emotional wound, every overwhelming moment gets stored not just in your memory but in your physical being. This shows up in various ways:
Unexplained digestive issues that worsen with stress
Strong food cravings that feel beyond your control
Difficulty sleeping, even when you're exhausted
Muscle tension that won't ease despite self-care efforts
Emotional eating patterns that seem to have a life of their own
Unexplained energy crashes throughout the day
From my personal journey, I can share that trauma's effects on health are real and lasting.
Despite our best efforts to "move on" or "get over it," our bodies continue to respond to these stored experiences until we acknowledge and address them. This isn't about weakness; it's about understanding how our bodies work to protect us, even when those protective mechanisms no longer serve our health goals.
When you're working to improve your health but find yourself stuck in patterns of emotional eating or stress-related health issues, it's essential to consider whether past experiences might be playing a role. This doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. Instead, it means you might need additional support and tools to address these deeper patterns.
Some steps you can take
Practice body awareness
Start noticing how your body responds to different situations. When do your cravings intensify? When does your digestion act up? These patterns can offer valuable insights into what your body is trying to tell you. Keep a simple journal to track these physical responses throughout your day. Notice what situations, conversations, or environments trigger physical reactions. Pay attention to subtle changes in your energy levels, appetite, and mood. This awareness isn't about judgment; it's about gathering information that can help you understand your body's language better. When you start paying attention, you might notice patterns you've never recognized before, like tension headaches during certain types of conversations or energy dips at particular times.
Honor your body's signals
Rather than pushing through or ignoring physical symptoms, treat them as important messages. Sometimes, what looks like a lack of willpower is actually your body crying out for attention and care. When you feel the urge to stress eat, pause and ask yourself what your body might really be asking for. Is it comfort? Rest? Protection? Learn to respond to these signals with compassion rather than criticism. Your body's reactions aren't character flaws; they're communication tools. When you feel overwhelmed, give yourself permission to step back, take a break, or adjust your plans. This isn't about giving up; it's about respecting your body's wisdom and responding with care.
Build a support system
While improving nutrition and exercise habits is important, some patterns might require additional support. Consider working with mental health professionals who can help you address deeper issues while maintaining your health journey with a health coach. Your wellness team might include various professionals who can support different aspects of your growth. A counselor can help process past experiences while your health coach guides you in creating sustainable healthy habits. Your primary care physician might monitor your physical health while your faith community provides spiritual support. Remember, seeking support isn't a sign of weakness. It's a strategic decision to give yourself the best chance at lasting transformation.
Ground your health journey in God's truth
Involving God in your wellness journey isn't optional; it's essential. While nutrition and lifestyle changes are important, true and lasting transformation comes through acknowledging God as the source of all well-being. Through prayer and biblical meditation, spending quiet time in His Word, and allowing His truth to wash over you, you create a foundation for deep restoration. Make time each day to sit quietly with Scripture, allowing God's promises to sink deep into your heart. Start your morning by inviting Him into your journey. When old patterns surface, pause to pray for guidance and wisdom. Learn to distinguish between conviction (which leads to positive change) and condemnation (which keeps you stuck). Keep a prayer journal to track your journey and notice God's faithfulness in your process of growth.
God wants to be actively involved in every aspect of your wellness journey. This isn't about simply praying and remaining passive. It's about seeking His guidance for your next steps, asking for wisdom about what actions to take, and listening for His direction about what support you might need. When you bring your health journey before Him, He can reveal insights about your patterns, guide you to the right resources, and show you what active steps you need to take in your process of transformation.
Remember, God has given you both the ability to seek Him and the wisdom to take action. When trauma feels overwhelming, pause to ask: "Lord, what would you have me do? Show me my next step. Give me clarity about what support I need." Then remain open to His guidance, whether it comes through His Word, godly counsel, or divine inspiration about your next move forward.
Your health journey isn't just about what you eat or how you move. It's about creating harmony between your body, mind, and spirit. By acknowledging how past experiences might be affecting your current health patterns, you open the door to deeper, more lasting transformation.
This journey requires patience, self-compassion, and sometimes more support than we initially think we need. But with awareness, appropriate support, and faith in the process, you can create new patterns that support your overall health and well-being.
If you are ready to begin transforming your relationship with food and reclaim your overall well-being, schedule a complimentary breakthrough call today to discover how we can work together toward lasting change.
Jasmine Kelly-Stephens, IIN Holistic Health and Wellness Coach
Jasmine is an exceptional Trauma-informed Emotional Eating Holistic Health and Wellness Coach who gracefully manages her roles as a dedicated mother, wife, and leader in various church ministries. Her journey is marked by notable accomplishments, such as co-authoring two Amazon Number 1 Best-Selling books and attaining the esteemed title of a Number 1 International best-seller.
Jasmine's personal story spans several decades, interwoven with the trials of comfort, stress, and emotional eating. This deeply personal struggle propels her unwavering commitment to addressing the emotional eating crisis, and guiding women towards healing, restoration, and liberation. At the heart of her mission is the empowerment of women, helping them liberate themselves from the chains of shame and guilt linked to emotional eating, all while drawing on her expertise in trauma-informed care. Through this transformative process, women rediscover their relationship with food and their bodies, embracing a journey of self-love and acceptance that brings forth renewed energy, freedom, and confidence to fulfill their divine callings within the Kingdom.
Jasmine firmly believes that the healing experienced by women extends its positive ripples outward, fostering healthier relationships within families and communities. This ripple effect creates a transformative impact for everyone involved. While Jasmine offers personalized coaching tailored for Christian women entrepreneurs, her passion knows no bounds. Actively spreading the message of transformation through speaking engagements and workshops, she aims to reach anyone open to the journey toward healing and well-being.
