Somatic Awareness
Embracing Somatic Awareness for Improved Health and Well-being
Had a call yesterday and was asked, “I don’t think I can’t drink alcohol like I use to. I effects me differently now. It’s out of nowhere. Is that possible?”
I said, “Well yes.”
Then I asked, “Have you ever heard of the term Somatic Awareness.”
“No. What does that mean?”
Somatic awareness, also known as body awareness, is the perception and understanding of the sensations within one’s own body.
It involves a conscious focus on and recognition of bodily sensations, which include muscle tension, breath, temperature, movement, and pain.
This concept is integral to various practices and therapies that emphasize the mind-body connection.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞
𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Recognizing how emotions and mental states can manifest physically in the body.
For instance, stress can lead to muscle tension or a change in breathing patterns.
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: This is the ability to perceive internal bodily sensations.
It’s a key component of somatic awareness, involving an understanding of physiological signals like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and more.
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭: Somatic awareness involves mindfulness techniques, which help individuals stay present and attentive to their current bodily sensations, rather than being lost in thoughts about the past or future.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐬𝐞: It’s used in various therapeutic approaches to help individuals connect with their bodies, understand the physical manifestations of their emotions, and release physical tension.
This is common in many therapies, used as trauma resolution.
So considering my call, the cumulative impact of a lifestyle choice like excessive drinking or chronic stress.
Initially, our bodies may adapt and cope, but over time, these choices etch deep marks.
Alcohol, for instance, can gradually impair liver function, disrupt sleep patterns, and affect mental health.
The body, in its wisdom, begins to protest, through fatigue, pain, or illness, signaling that it can no longer tolerate this sustained habit.
Often times, we ignore these signals and pile on more like caffeine to keep you going or supplements/medication to mask the symptoms.
If you ignore long enough, your body breaks down and opens the door to physical or mental disease.
Similarly, unaddressed emotions such as unhappiness or fear don’t just evaporate; they manifest somatically.
Chronic stress triggers a constant state of ‘fight or flight,’ leading to adrenal fatigue, hypertension, and a weakened immune system.
Our bodies are acutely sensitive to emotional states, and unresolved emotional issues can surface as physical symptoms.
Somatic awareness is about tuning into these messages, understanding the interconnectedness of mind, body, and lifestyle.
It’s a call to the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, signs our bodies give us, indicating the need for change.
Whether it’s through mindful practices, lifestyle adjustments, or seeking help, responding to our body’s natural mechanism for communication is crucial for long-term health and well-being.
This awareness brings a harmonious existence, one where we don’t just exist but strive towards potential.
JB