The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
How do our life experiences shape the way we think, feel and respond to the world? In The Body Keeps the Score book, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma affects both the brain and the body.
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The Body Keeps the Score Book by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
How do our life experiences shape the way we think, feel and respond to the world? In The Body Keeps the Score book, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma affects both the brain and the body. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and scientific research, he explains why difficult experiences can continue to influence emotions, relationships and physical wellbeing long after they occur.
What Is The Body Keeps the Score Book About?
The book presents an accessible overview of how trauma works, and it introduces approaches that may support recovery, resilience and emotional wellbeing. Topics include neuroscience, memory, mindfulness, movement and therapeutic practices that help people reconnect with themselves.
Whether you’re interested in psychology, emotional wellbeing or understanding the science behind human behavior, The Body Keeps the Score book offers insights that have influenced mental health professionals and readers around the world.
Why We Recommend It
💛 At CalmDone, we believe understanding yourself is one of the most powerful steps toward personal growth. The Body Keeps the Score book offers compassionate, research-informed insights into emotional wellbeing and the lasting impact of life experiences.
A Book That Connects Mind and Body
The central idea of the book is that experiences don’t only live in our thoughts. They can also show up in the body, in how we react, how we sleep and how we relate to others. Dr. van der Kolk draws on his clinical work to explain this connection in clear, human terms. For many readers, simply having language for what they feel is a helpful first step toward self-understanding.
Perfect for Readers Interested In
- Psychology
- Trauma awareness
- Emotional wellbeing
- Mental health
- Neuroscience
- Self-awareness
- Mindfulness
- Personal growth
Before You Read: A Gentle Note
This book discusses trauma, and some passages can be difficult. A few things that may help:
- Go at your own pace. You can read a little at a time, pause or skip sections.
- Choose a safe moment. Read when you feel steady, not in the middle of a hard day.
- Be kind to yourself. If something feels overwhelming, close the book and take a break.
- Treat it as information, not a diagnosis. Some of the science discussed has also been debated by other experts, so read it as one perspective.
This is an educational book, not a replacement for therapy or medical advice. If the topics affect you, please consider talking to a qualified mental health professional or someone you trust.
Turn Self-Understanding Into a Gentle Habit
Understanding yourself is easier with small, kind routines. At the end of the day, try writing a short list in the past tense of the moments you took care of yourself, using the Done List Method. You can keep it in a Done List Planner, and pair your reading with a candle, a cup of tea and a journal from our Calm Finds. You can find more reading ideas in the Calm Book Corner.
Book Details
- Title: The Body Keeps the Score
- Author: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
- Category: Psychology and self-growth
- Available formats: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook (availability may vary)
A Thoughtful Gift for Curious Minds
This is a book to give with care, to a friend, student or professional who is interested in psychology and wants to understand how experiences shape the mind and body. The Body Keeps the Score book suits readers who enjoy thoughtful, research-informed non-fiction. If you’d like to learn more about the author, you can read about Bessel van der Kolk.
Start Gently, at Your Own Pace
Open the book when you feel ready, and read it in small steps. The Body Keeps the Score book is a compassionate, informative guide to understanding how experiences shape us.
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