News — emotional trauma stored in the body

For over 15 years, Liz Tenuto has taught somatic exercises to 250,000+ students. Now the data tells the full story: where stress lives in the body, why 84% of people have disrupted sleep, why freeze is the most common stress response, and what happens when you finally release it.

Have you noticed that your face is puffy when you wake up or you have bags under your eyes, no matter how much sleep or self-care you get? From puffiness to bags to fine lines, these are actually the signs of “cortisol face.” High cortisol levels, triggered by prolonged stress, can silently change your appearance, affecting everything from your skin's texture to facial fat distribution. You may think it’s just aging, but it can be your body’s response to long-term stress. Face before and after releasing excess cortisol: Cortisol face shares symptoms with other stress-related conditions like fatigue, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. When your...