Releasing Stress with Somatic Therapy
Most people, understandably, associate therapy with purely psychological protocols. In reality, the mind and body are not distinct entities. They are aspects of our deepest self. Thus, body-centered therapy can be a powerful method to increase one’s overall well-being. Once you understand that the term somatic means “of the body,” you can probably see where we’re going with this.
Since no health issue is solely related to the mind or body, somatic therapy utilizes modalities that might not typically be associated with therapy. When, for example, somatic therapy is used to reduce stress, there will be talking, of course. There will also be breathing exercises, yoga, dance, massage, and much more.
How Does Somatic Therapy Help Release Stress?
High levels of stress can be rooted in negative memories, high levels of anxiety, and other manifestations of emotional distress. These underlying factors can be very much related to physical symptoms like pain. When working with a seasoned somatic therapist, you will develop the awareness to recognize how mental distress is often expressed through physical symptoms. Thus, working to treat bodily symptoms helps release the foundational cause.
Even when we know that we’re experiencing an emotional problem, we don’t expect it to show up as, say, muscle tightness or digestive disturbances. Identifying these connections empowers you to address the physical symptom while exploring the psychological root of your ongoing discomfort. This is accomplished via time-proven, non-invasive tactics. For example:
Breathing exercises can slow things down and induce a greater sense of mindfulness
Grounding is a technique that brings you into the present moment by activating all five senses
Movement — from dance to hiking to yoga, and beyond — can burn off excess energy much as non-humans do in times of danger or threat
Somatic Experiencing for Stress Release
Somatic experiencing (SE) is an approach designed to promote feelings of safety and security so stressful events and memories can be more productively processed. Certain types of physical movements, when combined with emotional coping skills, have been found to help people calm down when faced with stress. They are more equipped to release negative energy and facilitate the resolution of underlying issues.
Here are three ways SE can help you release stress:
Resourcing
During your sessions, your therapist will guide you to build up the powerful resource of positive memories and skills. When stress arrives, you are then better able to focus on your strong points and past successes rather than sliding into a negative spiral.
Titration
The better you become at resourcing, the more adept you will become at slowing down and releasing stress. You will be able to identify the connection between physical sensations and emotional stress. You will also have a stockpile of positive counterpoints at your disposal. This develops confidence, which, in turn, makes high-stress scenarios feel less daunting.
Pendulation
In pendulation, you combine the above two techniques and apply them simultaneously. As the name implies, you can gently move like a pendulum between two states until homeostasis is achieved. When stress arises, you might notice your hands shaking as you begin to feel dizzy. Pendulation guides you to effectively apply a resource like the above-mentioned grounding tactics. The alternating currents of these sensations move closer and closer to each other. Eventually, the stress is no longer a dominant factor.
Somatic Therapy Is a Specialty
Your first step is to connect with a compatible professional with specific experience in somatic therapy. Working together, you can begin to tune into your body sensations and comprehend the important role they play in sustaining a healthy well-being. To learn more about body-centered therapy as a way to treat anxiety, I urge you to reach out for a meaningful conversation soon.