You know, “The body keeps score, but it also keeps hope” is one of those lines that just sticks with you. It perfectly captures that our physical selves are a living record of our experiences, but they’re also hardwired for healing. It’s a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t just a concept; it’s a biological reality.
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Meaning
It means our bodies store the memory of both our traumas and our capacity for recovery. The pain is real, but so is the potential for healing.
Explanation
Okay, so think about it like this. We all know the first part, right? “The body keeps score.” That’s the gut-wrenching anxiety before a big meeting, the chronic back pain with no clear physical cause, the way you just feel tired all the time. Your body is literally holding onto the stress, the late nights, the emotional hits. It’s a ledger of everything you’ve been through.
But here’s the part we often miss—the game-changer. “But it also keeps hope.” This isn’t just fluffy, feel-good stuff. It’s physiological. Your body wants to find balance. It wants to heal. When you start treating it right—good food, good sleep, managing stress—you’re not just putting a band-aid on the problem. You’re speaking directly to that innate, biological hope. You’re activating your own built-in repair kit. It’s always there, waiting for the signal.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Health (243) |
| Topics | healing (82), hope (29) |
| Literary Style | poetic (635), short (36) |
| Emotion / Mood | compassionate (35), hopeful (357) |
| Overall Quote Score | 88 (131) |
Origin & Factcheck
This specific phrasing comes directly from Dr. Jessica Shepherd in her 2021 book, Love Yourself Well, published in the United States. It’s a common misconception that this idea originated with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s famous book The Body Keeps the Score. While van der Kolk’s work brilliantly explores the trauma side, Dr. Shepherd’s quote adds that critical, empowering second half about hope and healing.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr. Jessica Shepherd (57) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Love Yourself Well: An Empowering Wellness Guide to Supporting Your Gut, Brain, and Vagina (57) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Jessica Shepherd is an OB/GYN and women’s health advocate who blends clinical expertise with accessible education. She founded Her Viewpoint to help women navigate topics like periods, fertility, fibroids, sexual health, and menopause. A trusted voice in media and on stage, she translates complex science into practical steps patients can use right away. While building the Dr Jessica Shepherd book list and resources, she continues to champion informed, equitable care that centers each woman’s needs and goals.
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The body keeps score, but it also keeps hope |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2023; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780063289408; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 288. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 5: Healing Through Acceptance, Approximate page from 2023 edition |