The Body Keeps The Score

I was introduced to The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, during one of the more difficult seasons of my life. Eager to find and embrace anything that would give me a semblance of normal, I jumped right in.

Perhaps I would find some magic in the book to heal my wounds. I found real stories of real experiences, some that I could totally relate to, and others that after reading, I needed a moment - and by a moment, I mean I needed a month away from the book [I took about 6-8 months to complete the book].

In short, it dives into the subject of trauma, how the mind [and brain] and body grapple with it, while offering pathways to healing. I found it to be very informative and useful for me. It offered me a better understanding of my own experiences. CS Lewis says that we read to know that we are not alone, and this book did just that for me.

For the person coming from a background of trauma and the one who isn’t, I imagine it would be hard to consume in one go. If you are looking to understand more of how the mind, brain, and body respond to trauma and the potential channels for healing, this is one I would recommend. I also add, take it easy as you read this. Take your time.

It is a book worth keeping [once you have read it].