Somatic housekeeping

In earlier entries, we’ve looked at the importance of self-regulation and checking in with ourselves; we’ve explored the body’s alarm system and the polyvagal theory in connection with trauma; and we’ve focused on a few interventions here and there such as orienting and self-soothing, among other grounding techniques. This month we’ll be slowing down and unpicking the relationship between mind and body in greater detail – with a view (as always) to improving the quality of our life.

Here are some terms that might be useful for starters…

Somatic is defined as being focused on all areas of the body that are separate from the mind, the soul and the psyche.

In Greek, the word soma means ‘the body living in its wholeness.’

Somatic therapy, sometimes known as body psychotherapy, is a therapeutic approach that places importance on what we experience in the mind and the body, as well as the connection between the two.

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is when an individual becomes fixated on areas of their body that are perceived to be pained or diseased, but where no physical symptoms can be found medically. SSD may be a useful indicator of a person having a disconnect between their mind and their body, or having distorted perceptions and misinterpretations of bodily sensations.

If anyone identifies with spending excessive amounts of time scrutinising their bodies and fearing the worst, now might be a good time to go on a journey of knowledge and understanding as to how the body works, how we can look after it and how we can grow to trust it with our continual survival and flourishment.

Would you say that your mind and body work well together? Or are they at odds with each other? Do you sense that your mind is disconnected from your body (and/or vice versa)? Are you mostly in your head, your heart or your body as a whole? Are there any other questions in this area that might be useful to ask and then seek to answer?