303 5th Ave Suite 1002, New York, NY 10016 | 26 Court Street, Brooklyn New York, NY 11242

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety: Relieve Stress and Tension Through Movement

Do you experience anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including racing heart, trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating.

If you’re interested in trying somatic exercises for anxiety, there are a few things you should know. First, somatic exercises are not a cure for anxiety, but they can be beneficial along with anxiety therapy. However, they can serve as an effective way to manage anxiety symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

What Are Somatic Exercises?

Somatic exercises are a type of mind-body movement that focuses on increasing awareness of the body and its sensations. They are often used to improve body alignment, reduce stress, and relieve pain. Somatic exercises can be done in a variety of ways, but they typically involve slow, gentle movements that are performed with mindfulness and attention to detail.
Experience transformative healing with Somatic Therapy in NYC – Get our expert guidance today.

How Do Somatic Exercises Help With Anxiety?

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Somatic exercises can help with anxiety in several ways. One way is by helping to calm the nervous system. When we are anxious, our bodies go into a state of “fight or flight.” This is a natural response to danger, but it can also be triggered by everyday stressors. Somatic exercises can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the “rest and digest” response. This can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Another way that somatic exercises can help with anxiety is by increasing body awareness. When we are anxious, we may become disconnected from our bodies. Somatic exercises can help us to reconnect with our bodies and to become more aware of our physical sensations. This can help us to identify and manage our anxiety symptoms.

Somatic exercises can also help to reduce muscle tension. Anxiety can cause our muscles to tense up, which can make us feel even more anxious. Somatic exercises can help to release muscle tension and promote relaxation.

Finally, somatic exercises can help us to develop a more positive relationship with our bodies. Anxiety can lead to a negative view of our bodies. Somatic exercises can help us to appreciate our bodies and to learn to trust them.

Somatic Exercises For Anxiety

Here are six somatic exercises for anxiety:

Diaphragmatic Breathing:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, is a simple but effective way to calm the body and mind. It involves breathing deeply from the diaphragm, which is a muscle located below the lungs. When you breathe diaphragmatically, your stomach should rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale.

To practice diaphragmatic breathing:

  • Find a comfortable position to sit or lie down.
  • Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.
  • Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your stomach to rise.
  • Exhale slowly through your mouth, allowing your stomach to fall.
  • Continue breathing in this way for several minutes.

Grounding:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Grounding is a technique that helps to bring your attention back to the present moment and connect you to your body. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help to reduce feelings of dissociation and overwhelm.

There are many different ways to ground yourself. One simple way is to focus on your breath and the feeling of your feet on the ground. You can also try grounding yourself through sensory awareness, such as noticing the sounds around you or the feeling of the sun on your skin.

Body Scanning:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

A body scan is a meditation technique that involves bringing your awareness to each part of your body in turn. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help you to identify and release areas of tension.

To practice a body scan:

  • Find a comfortable position to lie down.
  • Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath.
  • Starting at your toes, bring your attention to each part of your body in turn. Notice any sensations that you feel, such as tension, relaxation, or warmth.
  • If you find any areas of tension, try to soften and relax them.
  • Continue scanning your body from your toes to your head.

Somatic Yoga:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Somatic yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on awareness of the body and breath. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help to reduce tension and promote relaxation.

There are many different somatic yoga poses that you can try. Some examples include:

  • Cat-Cow: This pose helps to stretch and release the spine.
  • Child’s Pose: This pose helps to calm the body and mind.
  • Corpse Pose: This pose helps to promote deep relaxation.

Walking Meditation:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Walking meditation is a type of meditation that involves paying attention to the sensations of walking. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help to ground you and bring your attention to the present moment.

To practice walking meditation:

  • Find a quiet place to walk.
  • Begin walking slowly and deliberately.
  • Pay attention to the sensations of your feet walking on the ground.
  • If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath and the sensations of walking.
  • Continue walking for as long as you like.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation:

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.

To practice PMR:

  • Find a comfortable position to lie down.
  • Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
  • Begin by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your feet.
  • Continue tensing and relaxing the muscles in your legs, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, back, chest, arms, hands, and face.
  • After you have tensed and relaxed all of your muscle groups, take a few deep breaths and relax.

Self-Massage:          

Somatic Exercises for Anxiety

Self-massage is a technique that involves massaging your own body. It can be helpful for anxiety because it can help to release tension and promote relaxation.

You can massage any part of your body, but some areas that are particularly helpful for anxiety include the neck, shoulders, and head. To massage these areas, simply use your fingers to gently knead and rub the muscles.

Tips For Practicing Somatic Exercises

Somatic exercises are a type of movement practice that focuses on awareness of the body and its sensations. They can be used to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, but they can also be used to reduce stress, improve mental health, and promote overall well-being.

Here are some tips for practicing somatic exercises:

  • Find a quiet place: Somatic exercises are often done slowly and with gentle movements, so it’s important to have a space where you can focus on your body and your breath.
  • Wear comfortable clothing: You may also want to remove your shoes and socks if that feels comfortable for you.
  • Start slowly: Somatic exercises are often new and unfamiliar to people, so it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your practice over time.
  • Listen to your body: Don’t push yourself too hard, and stop if you feel any pain or discomfort.
  • Focus on breath: Breathing is an important part of somatic exercise. Pay attention to the rhythm of your breath and how it feels in your body.

Conclusion

Somatic exercises can be a helpful way to manage anxiety symptoms and improve overall well-being. These exercises are gentle and mindful, and they can be done anywhere and at any time. If you are struggling with anxiety, I encourage you to try some somatic exercises and see how they work for you.

160 Responses

  1. I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of space Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site Reading this info So i’m happy to express that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed I most indisputably will make certain to don’t overlook this web site and provides it a look regularly

  2. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  3. I am really appreciative of you providing this excellent information on your weblog. When I post my website on social media, it will be incredibly helpful to me. I am grateful that you shared.

  4. I am so appreciative of you providing this wonderful knowledge on your weblog. When I share my website on social media, it will be incredibly helpful to me. I am grateful that you shared.

  5. A large percentage of of whatever you say is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me ponder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this with this light before. This piece truly did switch the light on for me as far as this specific subject matter goes. Nonetheless there is actually just one factor I am not necessarily too comfortable with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual main idea of the position, permit me see just what the rest of the visitors have to say.Very well done.

  6. Appreciating the time and energy you put into your blog and in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  7. Good site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  8. Fabulous post. Are you a Clash Royale fan curious about how to begin streaming on Twitch? If so, by following a few simple steps, you can stream Clash Royale with ease and build a dedicated audience of gamers. Streaming live on Twitch not only lets you showcase your best clash royale decks but also gives you the chance to interact with an active gaming community. Learn more about streaming Clash Royale on Twitch in this blog post.

  9. Wow, What an Outstanding post. I found this too much informatics. Are you looking for Roblox discount codes and need to know how to use them? If so, take a look at the post on the Roblox game codes. Where you can gain special, exclusive stuff like outfits and other in-game unlockable using Roblox promo codes. Visit the post once to find out more.

  10. of course like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I’ll surely come again again.

  11. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i’m satisfied to express that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to don’t overlook this website and provides it a glance regularly.

  12. The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, however I really thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix when you werent too busy looking for attention.

  13. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  14. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and superb design.

  15. Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is really frustrating. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for keeping this site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.

  16. I used to be suggested this blog through my cousin. I am not sure whether or not this publish is written via him as nobody else understand such particular about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thank you!

  17. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal site.

  18. A lot of the things you state happens to be astonishingly legitimate and it makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light before. This particular piece truly did switch the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. However there is just one factor I am not necessarily too comfy with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the core theme of the issue, permit me observe what the rest of your subscribers have to say.Nicely done.

  19. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

  20. There are certainly loads of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to deliver up. I provide the thoughts above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up where crucial thing will probably be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each boys and girls feel the influence of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  21. Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

  22. I got what you intend, thankyou for posting.Woh I am lucky to find this website through google. “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” by Seneca.

  23. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

  24. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  25. My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  26. After examine a few of the weblog posts in your website now, and I really like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site checklist and might be checking again soon. Pls try my website as properly and let me know what you think.

  27. You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

  28. Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nonetheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss problem? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

  29. I do love the way you have presented this particular situation plus it really does provide me personally some fodder for consideration. However, from everything that I have experienced, I basically wish as the actual feed-back pack on that people stay on issue and in no way start on a soap box of some other news of the day. Anyway, thank you for this outstanding point and although I do not go along with the idea in totality, I respect the viewpoint.

  30. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  31. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!

  32. I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome website!

  33. Access and manage your Orbi router settings easily with Orbi Login. This portal allows you to customize network settings, update firmware, and optimize your Wi-Fi performance for seamless connectivity. Take full control of your network in just a few steps. For more information, you can visit our site or contact our technical expert through live chat.

  34. Discover how to easily access ij.start.canon for your Canon printer setup. This user-friendly portal guides you through driver installation and printer configuration, ensuring optimal performance. Get your printer ready for use quickly and efficiently. For more information, you can visit our site or contact our technical expert through live chat.

  35. Access your security system effortlessly with Lorex Camera Login. This user-friendly interface allows you to manage your camera settings, view live footage, and monitor recorded videos from anywhere. Enhance your home security with just a few clicks. For more information, you can visit our site or contact our technical expert through live chat.

  36. Thanks for every other informative blog. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect means? I’ve a venture that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.

  37. Howdy very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds alsoKI am satisfied to seek out numerous useful info right here within the submit, we need develop extra techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  38. This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen

  39. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent idea

  40. I do trust all of the ideas you’ve presented to your post. They’re really convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for beginners. May just you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  41. Thanks for any other informative blog. The place else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a mission that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

  42. of course like your website however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to inform the truth however I’ll surely come back again.

  43. hey there and thank you to your information – I have definitely picked up something new from proper here. I did on the other hand experience a few technical points the use of this web site, since I skilled to reload the site lots of instances prior to I may just get it to load properly. I had been pondering if your hosting is OK? No longer that I’m complaining, however slow loading circumstances instances will often affect your placement in google and could injury your high quality rating if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I’m including this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you replace this once more very soon..

  44. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great web site.

  45. I do enjoy the way you have presented this matter plus it does indeed supply me personally some fodder for consideration. Nevertheless, because of what I have seen, I simply hope as the responses pile on that people keep on issue and don’t get started upon a soap box of the news du jour. Still, thank you for this fantastic piece and even though I can not really go along with it in totality, I value the viewpoint.

  46. An interesting discussion is value comment. I feel that it’s best to write extra on this topic, it might not be a taboo topic but typically individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  47. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  48. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100 sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

  49. Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve be aware your stuff previous to and you’re simply too great. I actually like what you have received right here, certainly like what you are stating and the best way during which you say it. You are making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read much more from you. That is really a terrific site.

  50. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

  51. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  52. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

Leave a Reply

Newsletter

Sign up our newsletter to get updated information, promo or insight for free.

Latest Post

Categories

Need Help?
Get The Support You Need From One Of Our Therapists