5 Ordinary Activities You Can Use for Somatic Therapy

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

Here are some common and even fun activities you can add to your somatic therapy treatment that can help you heal your mind and body.

1. Dance

Most people enjoy listening to music, but if you love moving to it, you already have a leg up when looking for somatic therapy techniques that will help you.

With dance, you allow yourself to freely express yourself through physical movement, and this can help you release tension that may have been pent up in your muscles for years. Your negative memories of past events may resurface during this time, but by being in the moment through dance, you can allow them to flow freely through you.

2. Martial Arts

If dancing isn’t for you, but you still like to be very active and involved in what you’re doing, martial arts is a fantastic way to achieve the goals that somatic therapy aims for.

There are many types to choose from, and some are more dynamic than others, but no matter if you pick one that’s more fast-paced and combat-oriented, like Wing Chun or Muay Thai, or one that’s more slow and peaceful like Tai-Chi, you’ll be able to connect your mind, body, and spirit.

———————————————————————————————– Try online therapy and get 15% off from our partner, BetterHelp. ———————————————————————————————–

3. Yoga

Another extremely popular technique that’s used for somatic therapy is yoga, and like dance and martial arts, it’s a way to release the tension that’s stored in the entire being.

Yoga involves performing very specific movements that make you pay attention to all of your body parts as well as focus on your breathing. There are several different types of yoga for people to try out that include other helpful strategies such as meditation, which will be discussed in its own section later.

4. Massage

Getting a massage isn’t as involved as the last few activities, but it is one of the simplest ways to get familiar with how physical sensations are closely connected with your feelings and emotions. You’ve probably known massages as a form of stress relief, and this is why.

In addition to massages, you can also try acupuncture, which you can often receive alongside the former. Simply find a massage therapist in your area who is familiar with somatic therapy, and you’ll reap the benefits of these techniques.

5. Meditation

Meditation has a lot of benefits, and if you’re looking to relax your mind and body, it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to do so. As long as you have a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed, you can do this anytime, and it doesn’t cost anything.

Meditation allows you to do two major things – practice mindfulness, which allows your thoughts to pass through you without labeling them while staying in the present and elicit the relaxation response by paying attention to your breathing. You can even include progressive muscle relaxation too!

Learn More About Somatic Therapy

Aside from this handful of strategies you can use, there are a lot of important details regarding somatic therapy and how it works, and if you’re interested in learning more about this highly-effective strategy for improving your physical and mental health, BetterHelp has free resources that can fill you in on everything you need to know about somatic therapy.

Talk therapy is also extremely helpful when used alongside somatic therapy, and if you’re looking to find a professional who can incorporate both into your treatment regimen, BetterHelp can also show you how you can connect to licensed professionals who understand the importance of restoring the balance between the mind and body.

Conclusion

Somatic therapy techniques have been around for thousands of years, and there is no wonder they’ve passed the test of time. They are holistic methods that actually work, and many can be done on your own as well as with the guidance of an expert.