With the profusion of pseudoscientific therapies on social media and TikTok, you can’t be faulted for assuming that somatic therapy is yet another new-age solution that doesn’t work. That skepticism is healthy and can protect you from dangerous fads that often become trendy. However, bodily therapy is not some mumbo jumbo concocted by influencers in their basement studio. It’s based on somatic psychology, a psychological approach that recognizes the mind-body connection and seeks to address problems by tackling the feedback loop between your mind and body. Still not convinced? Numerous supporting studies, with a review published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, describe the findings as ‘promising.’
A closer look at some of the benefits of somatic therapy will help you understand how it works and how it can be applied to your daily life. Somatic therapy techniques are easy to learn and implement but can be transformational for some people when used appropriately and effectively.
5 Benefits of Somatic Therapy in Your Daily Life
Overcoming Past Traumas
The most obvious benefit of somatic therapy is for managing trauma, as there is clear evidence of its efficacy in this regard. Somatic therapy interventions were used to help survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which claimed the lives of more than 230,000 people, leaving a trail of destruction in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other countries in the region. Researchers found that survivors who received somatic therapy were better able to cope, with 90 percent reporting significant improvement.
The therapy helps reduce intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors that can affect our everyday lives without us even realizing it. Since many of us suffer from the effects of trauma, not just in recent years but from childhood as well, somatic therapy can be a powerful aid to overcome it and live our best lives.
Improve Emotion Regulation
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between your mind and body, giving you a better understanding of your emotions and greater awareness of physical sensations. More importantly, it teaches you how they influence each other, equipping you with techniques such as mindfulness, body scanning, and grounding so that you can recognize and manage emotional responses effectively. This translates into better emotional regulation, wherein you are less likely to succumb to pressure but can respond with productive problem-solving approaches.
Get Relief From Chronic Pain Disorders
The notion that any psychological therapy might help in the management of physical disorders was once dismissed as wishful thinking. However, research from recent decades shows a clear connection between mental health and physical well-being, with our moods and stress levels directly influencing our experiences of pain and other symptoms. This is especially true for people living with chronic pain disorders, who tend to experience more severe and frequent symptoms when under stress or dealing with any anxiety or loss. Some studies have shown that somatic therapy effectively relieves patients dealing with chronic diseases, which is critical to achieving a better quality of life. This makes bodily therapy a valuable tool for anyone with a chronic pain disorder.
Improves Stress Management and Relaxation
The benefits of bodily therapy are not exclusively meant for people living with serious psychiatric conditions or diagnosed mental illnesses.
Anyone can use somatic therapy practices to improve their productivity, relationships, outlook, and everyday quality of life. After all, we are all exposed to high-stress levels and other unpleasant situations. Many of us respond to such experiences by withdrawing, avoiding, or indulging in unhealthy coping behaviors that adversely affect us at work and home. Increased self-awareness and emotion regulation, combined with interventions that work to lower stress levels, can significantly improve your ability to perform at your best and thrive.
Develop Bodily Awareness
With its focus on grounding techniques, visualization, and body scanning, somatic therapy can help you develop greater body awareness. This means that you can use physical sensations to reduce mental or emotional problems such as anxiety and distractions to stay focused. As you become more attuned to physical cues and emotions, it becomes easier to identify locations in your body that have more tension. You can then use a variety of techniques, such as body scanning and progressive muscle relaxation, to consciously relax your body and reduce feelings of discomfort.
