339: Somatic Practices for Healing Stress and Trauma (with Dr. Arielle Schwartz)
Sep 6, 2022
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Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a Clinical Psychologist and trauma recovery author, reveals the transformative power of somatic practices for healing stress and trauma. She emphasizes how movement can often surpass traditional talk therapy in emotional healing. The discussion covers practical techniques like yoga and mindful movement to process trauma and regulate emotions. Dr. Schwartz also highlights the link between spirituality and recovery, offering insights on finding resilience and balance amid modern life's chaos.
Somatic practices emphasize the mind-body connection, suggesting that addressing physical sensations can enhance healing from trauma and stress.
Daily routines incorporating movement, mindfulness, and nature can significantly improve emotional resilience and facilitate personal healing without extensive therapy.
Deep dives
Understanding Somatic Practices
Somatic practices focus on the connection between the mind and body, emphasizing the importance of bodily sensations in healing trauma and stress. These practices operate on the premise that the body holds memories and experiences that can influence mental well-being, making it critical to address both physical and emotional aspects of healing. For instance, polyvagal theory plays a significant role in this approach, illustrating how our nervous system can get stuck in states of fight, flight, or freeze as a result of trauma. Engaging in activities such as yoga, nature walks, and specific touch techniques, like massaging the ears, can help individuals release stored trauma and shift their nervous system toward a more calm and connected state.
Daily Practices for Emotional Resilience
Establishing daily practices can enhance emotional resilience and facilitate the healing process without the need for intensive therapy. Individuals are encouraged to identify practices that bring them joy and relief, which can include movement, meditation, or simply spending time in nature. These accessible activities can be integrated into everyday routines, providing opportunities for self-care and connection with one’s body. For example, a consistent practice of yoga or mindfulness can help people cultivate a sense of peace, helping them navigate life's challenges more effectively.
Processing Trauma and Its Symptoms
Trauma can manifest as various symptoms, including avoidance, re-experiencing, and hypervigilance, which can impact daily functioning and mental health. Understanding the differences between general trauma and PTSD is vital, as PTSD involves longer-lasting symptoms that interfere with one’s ability to live a fulfilling life. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing and validating experiences of trauma, especially during stressful times like the recent pandemic. By acknowledging these experiences and seeking appropriate support or practices, individuals can begin to address their trauma and reclaim their emotional well-being.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the connection between the brain and body, influencing our emotional and physical responses to trauma. When challenged by traumatic experiences, the vagus nerve can cause our nervous system to become imbalanced, leading to feelings of anxiety or shutdown. Activities that stimulate the vagus nerve, such as deep breathing, humming, or gentle physical touch on specific parts of the body, can promote a sense of safety and emotional regulation. Implementing these simple exercises into daily life can help individuals manage stress and enhance their overall emotional resilience.
Dr. Arielle Schwartz is a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Therapy Consultant, Somatic Psychotherapist, and Certified Yoga Instructor. This week, Dr. Schwartz shares what somatic practices are and why they can often be more effective than traditional talk therapies. She also lets you in on what she believes to be the key to our healing. We dive deeper into movement practices in general and how helpful they can be in processing trauma, and you’ll learn some hands-on, doable strategies to help you manage your emotions.
