When Your Body Won’t Settle: Understanding Metabolic Dysfunction Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Written by Don Crites
Have you ever felt exhausted for no reason, struggled with brain fog, battled stubborn weight gain, or wrestled with anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere? You might be dealing with something deeper than a busy schedule or poor diet. You may be experiencing metabolic dysfunction—and its roots could be more spiritual and emotional than you think.
What Is Metabolic Dysfunction?
Metabolic dysfunction is a broad term for when the body’s internal systems—especially those regulating energy, hormones, blood sugar, and inflammation—aren’t working properly. It shows up in real, physical symptoms like:
Chronic fatigue
Weight gain (especially around the belly)
Sugar cravings or blood sugar crashes
Difficulty sleeping
Hormonal imbalances
Brain fog or low motivation
These symptoms can make you feel frustrated, discouraged, or even ashamed—especially if you’re doing your best to eat right or stay active. But here’s the thing: your body might not be broken… it might be trying to protect you.
Trauma and the Body’s Alarm System
When we go through trauma or prolonged stress—especially in childhood or in situations where we felt powerless—our nervous system adapts for survival. It kicks into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, keeping us hyper-alert or shut down as a form of protection.
This stress response, if not resolved, can become chronic. And over time, chronic stress impacts the very systems that regulate metabolism:
Cortisol levels spike, leading to blood sugar issues and weight gain.
Sleep gets disrupted, throwing off hormone balance.
Inflammation increases, affecting mood, energy, and even immune function.
It’s no wonder so many people struggling emotionally also struggle physically. The two are deeply connected.
But Food and Environment Matter Too
Our bodies are not only shaped by what we’ve experienced—but also by what we consume and the environment we live in.
Processed foods—high in sugar, artificial ingredients, and inflammatory oils—can worsen blood sugar imbalances, inflammation, and energy crashes.
Environmental toxins—from plastics, pesticides, mold, and endocrine disruptors—add to the body’s stress load, impair detox systems, and disrupt hormone function.
These stressors matter. But even still, your body has an amazing ability to heal—especially when the nervous system is no longer in survival mode.
When the nervous system settles, the body can:
Digest better
Detox more effectively
Respond to healthy habits with actual healing
That’s why recognizing what’s happening in your body isn’t a side note—it’s the starting point.
A Grace-Based Path to Healing: The R.E.G. Approach
At Exchanged Life Christian Counseling, we use a trauma-informed discipleship model called R.E.G.:
Recognize. Engage. Grow.
It’s a framework that honors the way God designed us—body, soul, and spirit—and helps clients move from emotional overwhelm to spiritual clarity and truth.
1. RECOGNIZE: Attending to the Body
We begin by helping you recognize what your body is communicating. This might include noticing how stress impacts your sleep, appetite, or energy—and what it reveals about where you’re turning for comfort. As you grow in awareness, you’ll be better able to bring your physical experiences into the light of God’s care and truth.
This isn’t self-help—it’s soul care. Your body matters to God, and bringing it into a state of peace is a foundational part of healing.
2. ENGAGE: Reconnecting Spiritually
Once you’ve begun to recognize your body's messages, we explore your relationship with God. For many, trauma distorts their view of Him. Maybe you’ve believed He’s distant, disappointed, or silent.
Through prayer, Scripture, and Christ-centered conversation, we help you re-engage with the God who sees, knows, and comforts.
3. GROW: Living from a Renewed Identity
As you recognize and engage, you begin to grow. This growth involves embracing your identity in Christ, understanding that you are not defined by your trauma or symptoms. You are a new creation, equipped to live in freedom and purpose.
If you’re tired of feeling stuck in cycles of stress, fatigue, or shame, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. We invite you to explore discipleship counseling with us. Together, we can walk the path of healing, guided by grace and truth.
Want to learn more or schedule a free consultation? Click here to begin your healing journey with grace, not shame.
Want to see the research behind this post? View full references here.
