Jodi K. Morris

by Jodi Morris

Over the past few years, I have become increasingly interested in the relationship between the mind, body, stress, trauma, healing, and human resilience. Like many people, I have personally experienced seasons of life where chronic stress and emotional overwhelm seemed to manifest physically in my body. At the same time, I have also witnessed the incredible resilience of the human body and mind to recover, adapt, and heal.

Recently, I came across newer research and discussions challenging some of the broader claims made within modern trauma theory, particularly ideas surrounding “the body keeps the score.” It has sparked a lot of reflection for me.

I find myself landing somewhere in the middle.

I absolutely believe the mind and body have a deeply interconnected relationship. Stress can affect sleep, hormones, digestion, inflammation, tension, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and overall physical wellbeing. Likewise, physical depletion or dysregulation can absolutely impact emotional and mental health.

At the same time, I also believe we should be cautious about overstating theories or turning metaphors into scientific certainty. Just because something feels true or resonates emotionally does not automatically make it objectively true.

I also do not personally subscribe to the idea that we fully “manifest” our realities. Life contains biology, trauma, loss, other people’s choices, injustice, resilience, randomness, adaptation, and circumstances outside our control. Human beings are far too complex for simplistic explanations.

What continues to interest me most is the healing of the whole person: mind, body, nervous system, relationships, environment, meaning, and human connections.

I’m curious how others in counseling, coaching, medicine, somatic work, bodywork, neuroscience, psychology, fitness, faith communities, or holistic wellness view this evolving conversation.

Where do you personally land on the relationship between the mind and body in healing?

References:

Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score.http://www.besselvanderkolk.com

Dr. Michael Scheeringa. (2016). The Body Does Not Keep the Score. http://www.michaelscheeringa.com