Body-Focused Techniques: 12 Straightforward Methods to Alter Your Emotional State Physically
In an era where stress levels are on the rise, finding effective methods to manage and alleviate it has become essential. One such approach that is gaining traction is Somatic Therapy, a holistic method that emphasizes the connection between the body and mind. This article, penned by therapist Rachel Shanken - a practitioner of Somatic Therapy herself - delves into the transformative power of this therapy.
Somatic Therapy, also known as MindBodyWise Therapy, unearths deep emotional issues, processes trauma that gets stuck in the body, decreases anxiety and stress, and works through body image challenges. The therapy works by encouraging awareness of bodily sensations, breath, and movement to access and process emotions that may be difficult to reach through conventional talk therapy alone.
One of the key benefits of Somatic Therapy is its ability to help individuals reconnect with their bodily sensations. By recognizing how stress and trauma are held in muscle tension, posture, and the nervous system, individuals can gently release trapped emotions and reduce physical symptoms of stress such as muscle tightness or breath-holding.
Another advantage of Somatic Therapy is its ability to expand the "window of tolerance," which is the range of emotional intensity a person can manage without becoming overwhelmed. By increasing this tolerance, people can regulate emotions better without triggering excessive autonomic nervous system (ANS) activation like fight-or-flight responses.
The practice also promotes mindfulness and presence, cultivating a deeper self-awareness and acceptance of feelings and bodily experiences. This mindful connection fosters emotional regulation, resilience, and enhances the capacity to respond to stress with more self-compassion.
Body-based techniques such as conscious breathing, visualization, and gentle movement are also integral to Somatic Therapy. These techniques ground individuals, discharge tension naturally, and integrate emotional experiences physically and psychologically.
Science has proven that the way you hold your body and the way you move can dictate much more about how you feel than you may have realized. For instance, slumping posture increases stress hormone (cortisol) and decreases confidence hormone (testosterone), while standing tall and taking up space can help reverse the stress response. Similarly, exposure to pure lemon scent improves brain function and mood.
Interested individuals can work with MindBodyWise Therapist, Rachel Shanken, for a free initial consultation to learn more about the mind-body connection and create long-term change. Rachel Shanken, a Somatic Therapist, helps clients connect with their bodies to both recognize and change the way they feel. She has noticed that most of her stress lives in her gut, her lower back, and her jaw.
In addition to these techniques, simple actions like faking a smile, which releases neuropeptides that help fight off stress, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, or faking a laugh, which releases dopamine (the happiness hormone), can also contribute to stress management. Sending a note of thanks to someone who has made a difference in your life can help reduce stress, as can drinking chamomile tea, which may help to calm you down and reduce stress.
In conclusion, Somatic Therapy offers a holistic approach to emotional healing and stress management, acknowledging that trauma and chronic stress affect both mind and body. By addressing the body's stored emotional states through somatic techniques, individuals can achieve mood transformation and effective stress management that complements or surpasses traditional psychotherapy methods.
- Somatic Therapy, also known as MindBodyWise Therapy, uncovers deep emotional issues, processes trauma, decreases anxiety and stress, and helps with body image challenges, highlighting the connection between the body and mental-health.
- Recognizing how stress and trauma are held in muscle tension, posture, and the nervous system, individuals can gently release trapped emotions and reduce physical symptoms of stress, which contribute to personal-growth and health-and-wellness.
- Education-and-self-development opportunities, like working with MindBodyWise Therapist Rachel Shanken for a free consultation, can help individuals connect with their bodies to regulate emotions, achieve emotional transformation, and enhance their understanding of the mindfulness and mind-body connection.
- Simple actions, such as faking a smile, sending a note of thanks, drinking chamomile tea, and faking a laugh, can also aid in stress management, aligning with the broader philosophy of self-care and holistic wellness.
