Hey beautiful people,
Let’s talk about something real – our bodies.
In the journey towards mental wellness I’ve learned that true healing involves every part of us: mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Gone are the days when “talking it out” was enough. We’re now uncovering how deeply our nervous system stores and releases trauma, which means our bodies play a crucial role in our healing journey.
Why Your Body Matters in Healing
Peter Levine, the mastermind behind Somatic Experiencing (SE), realized something powerful. By observing animals he discovered they naturally reset their nervous systems after a traumatic event. Think about it—animals literally shake off the stress. Inspired by this, Levine developed techniques to help us do the same. This is game-changing news for anyone carrying the weight of trauma.
Our bodies are built to heal from stress and trauma. If you’re struggling with traumatic memories, this might feel impossible. But here’s the thing—by reconnecting with your body and gently using specific techniques, you can release that stored-up energy and start to feel whole again.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
Somatic Experiencing taps into the nervous system through what Levine calls the “felt sense”—those deep, physical sensations and emotions that we’ve internalized from our past. By slowly and gently accessing these feelings, we can:
1. Release Trapped Energy: Trauma often leaves our bodies in a constant state of fight or flight. SE helps us complete those unfinished survival responses, freeing us from that grip.
2. Integrate Traumatic Memories: Once we release that energy, our bodies can finally understand that the trauma is over. This helps us reshape our memories and regain control.
3. Regulate the Nervous System: Trauma disrupts our autonomic nervous system, leading to chronic stress or depression. SE techniques help us balance this system, promoting better health and emotional stability.
Somatic Experiencing Exercises
Ready to try some techniques? Here are a few exercises to help you stay grounded and reclaim your power.
Notice Your Current Physical Comfort
1. Sit in a chair and tune into your body.
2. Move your feet on the floor until you feel connected.
3. Feel your back and bottom on the chair—let it support you.
4. Adjust your position until you find your comfort spot.
5. Look around and find something that feels calming—a tree, a piece of art, anything.
6. Notice how you feel physically and emotionally. Do you feel different than when you started?
Containment With Safe Touch
1. Take your right hand and place it just below your left armpit.
2. Place your left hand on your right bicep.
3. Feel the sensation of your hands on your body—notice the warmth, the texture, your heartbeat.
4. Ask yourself, “Do I feel contained? Is this pleasant?”
5. Notice how your whole body responds.
Recalling a Kindness
1. Think of a time someone was kind to you.
2. Remember every detail—words, gestures, actions.
3. Notice how recalling this memory affects your body and emotions now.
4. If a negative memory pops up, set it aside and focus back on the kindness.
5. Notice how you feel now compared to when you started.
When You Felt Most Like Yourself
1. Recall a recent time when you felt truly like yourself.
2. Remember it in detail, almost like you’re there again.
3. Notice what happens in your body now.
4. Recall another similar moment from the past few weeks.
5. Notice your overall experience now.
The Chest Rumble
1. Think of the sound of a gong.
2. Take a deep breath and imitate that sound, as low and rumbly as possible in your chest.
3. Feel the vibrations in your torso, all the way to your pelvic floor.
4. As you finish, notice how you feel. If you feel more settled, repeat up to two more times.
Somatic Experiencing is about honoring your body’s natural defenses and using them to free yourself from past thoughts and experiences. These exercises can help you find calm and strength, even in the midst of stress.
Remember, your body is a powerful ally in healing. Embrace it, trust it, and let it guide you to peace.
Stay grounded, stay empowered.
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