How Trauma Affects Your Root Chakra (And How to Reclaim Your Sense of Safety)
Have you ever had one of those days where everything feels off—like you’re floating outside of yourself, unable to settle, and no matter how much you try to ground, you just can’t shake the anxiety?
That’s root chakra energy. And if you’ve experienced trauma, it makes so much sense that this part of you might feel shaky, ungrounded, and unsafe.
What is the Root Chakra?
In simplest terms, your root chakra (Muladhara) is your foundation. It’s the energy center that governs safety, stability, and your sense of belonging in the world. Think of it like the roots of a tree—when they’re strong, you feel steady. Secure. Present in your body.
But trauma changes that. It can make the world feel unpredictable, unsafe, and hard to trust. Instead of feeling grounded, you might feel on edge, anxious, or like you can’t fully relax—like no matter how much you try to settle, something inside of you is still bracing for impact. It can be hard to trust others - let alone yourself.
Honoring the Roots of the Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The chakra system comes from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, with deep roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. The word chakra (pronounced chuh-kruh or shock-ruh) comes from Sanskrit and means “wheel” or “disk,” referring to the spinning energy centers in the body.
The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is the first of these energy centers, located at the base of the spine. The name Muladhara comes from two Sanskrit words:
Mula = root
Adhara = support or foundation
It represents our connection to the earth, survival, stability, and ancestral roots. In yogic philosophy, a strong Muladhara means feeling grounded, safe, and at home in the world. When it’s out of balance, that sense of security is shaken—which is exactly what happens when we experience trauma.
How Trauma Disrupts the Root Chakra
Trauma—whether from childhood wounds, toxic relationships, systemic oppression, or a sudden overwhelming event—affects both the nervous system and the energy body. It can make you feel stuck in survival mode, constantly bracing for the next bad thing.
When the root chakra is impacted by trauma, you might experience:
Anxiety or hypervigilance (always scanning for danger)
Feeling disconnected from your body (like you’re floating or dissociating)
Trouble trusting people (or even trusting yourself)
Chronic fear around money, home, or stability
Feeling ungrounded, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode
This isn’t just in your head—it’s in your body. Your nervous system learned that the world wasn’t safe, and now it’s doing everything it can to protect you. But staying in a state of high alert forever? That’s exhausting.
Healing the Root Chakra After Trauma
Healing is possible. And while it takes time, there are powerful ways to reconnect with a sense of safety in your body.
1. Therapy That Supports Nervous System Healing
Trauma isn’t just something you remember—it’s something your body holds onto. If talk therapy alone hasn’t worked for you (or you’ve never tried therapy but feel stuck), there are approaches that go deeper.
Somatic therapy helps you process trauma through body-based techniques, while EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-backed approach that helps your brain and body reprocess painful experiences so they don’t feel as overwhelming.
If you’ve ever felt like you should be over it by now but your body still reacts like it’s happening all over again? These therapies can help.
2. Grounding Practices That Reconnect You to Safety
Your root chakra thrives on stability. Simple practices like walking barefoot outside, eating warm, nourishing foods, or even wrapping yourself in a heavy blanket can signal to your nervous system, I am here. I am safe.
3. Reiki + Energy Healing for Regulation
Reiki and other energy healing practices don’t replace trauma therapy, but they can be supportive in helping your nervous system find moments of calm. When trauma makes you feel stuck in fight-or-flight, gentle energy work may help your body access a state of relaxation—giving you a little more space to heal in ways that feel safe for you. Think of it as a way to reset your system when everything feels too much.
4. Creating Daily Routines That Feel Secure
Your root chakra loves consistency. Small, intentional habits—like having a morning ritual, setting gentle structure in your day, or even just drinking your coffee in the same cozy spot—can help your body feel held.
5. Rebuilding Self-Trust
A wounded root chakra can make you doubt yourself. Healing means slowly, gently proving to yourself, I can trust myself to take care of me. And that trust? It builds over time.
This month, we are thrilled to announce a special collaboration with our dear friend Edith Caballero at Lotus Love Box. Lotus Love Box is a Mental Health, Sobriety, and Self-Care Package company curated by Edith Caballero, LCSW, YT-200, Reiki II.
You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Own Body
If trauma has made you feel disconnected or unsafe, please know: You’re not broken. Your body has just been doing its best to protect you.
Healing your root chakra isn’t about forcing yourself to feel safe—it’s about rebuilding safety in a way that actually feels real.
And if you need support along the way? That’s what trauma therapy, energy healing, and somatic work are here for. You don’t have to do this alone.
Curious about EMDR?
Ready to start healing? Book a FREE consult for therapy here (FL, SC, & TN residents)
👋 Follow @holistictherapywithsabrina to learn more about EMDR and healing your inner child, from a therapist who truly gets it.
About the author: Sabrina Cruz, LCSW, RYT-200 is a psychotherapist and yoga teacher who truly values holistic care. She supports women to break free from people-pleasing and unapologetically embody their light. HHWS specializes in people pleasing, anxiety, and childhood wounds to help you heal from trauma, reparent your inner child, and embrace your authentic self.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for mental health or medical advice. The Chakra System can be used an adjunctive to mental health therapy but not replace professional support.
Lotus Love Box Disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. My products or information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements are not meant to replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Do not rely on the information on our website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you may be suffering from any medical or mental health condition, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice or discontinue medical treatment because of information on our website.
Crystal: Using crystals or stones for healing is an alternative therapeutic technique that is used for alleviating conditions and protecting against disease. Using crystals for healing dates centuries back. Many believe that crystals act as conduits for healing — allowing positive, healing energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out. Crystal healing is however considered a pseudoscience given that there is no evidence of crystals healing such conditions.
Please note that all crystal shapes and sizes are not the same. Crystal sizes range from 1 - 2 inches in length.”