Somatic Meditation and Mindfulness for Anxiety, Depression, or Trauma Treatment
While most people will experience challenges and hardship in their life, some people experience anxiety, depression, or trauma. We’re beginning to understand these experiences better now and have recognized that trauma is actually a physiological process that impacts our psychological and emotional wellbeing. When trauma is suppressed, it often leads to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
Trauma and the Nervous System
At Smart Therapy in Kitchener, we are always thinking about the nervous system. We have begun to understand that trauma exists in our body’s nervous system. When we experience acute or chronic trauma, our nervous system goes into “fight or flight” mode. To treat trauma, we must do so on a physical level by connecting with our bodies and allowing them to process and neutralize those unexpressed defensive fight or flight reactions.
If we do not allow our nervous systems to come back to a calm and neutral state, we are kept in a state of high arousal, and eventually, our nervous system becomes overwhelmed and shuts down. This is often when depression and PTSD symptoms present.
How Somatic Meditation Helps Heal Trauma
Somatic Meditation and Mindfulness help people suffering from the effects of trauma by getting them to become aware of the trauma in their body, without the need to recall the traumatic event(s). Somatic meditation teaches individuals how to release tension from the body, and therefore helps the nervous system release the trapped defensive energy.
If you are interested in exploring these body-focused exercises, please get in touch with me by booking a session here. I would be very happy to discuss somatic meditation and other somatic treatment options with you further and answer any questions you may have.
Sources:
- https://amindfulemergence.com/blog/the-power-of-trauma-informed-somatic-mindfulness-meditation/
- https://psychcentral.com/lib/somatic-therapy-exercises-for-trauma
- https://khironclinics.com/blog/how-somatic-meditation-can-be-used-to-treat-survivors-of-trauma/
Rebecca Steele
Rebecca Steele, MA, MSW, RSW is an individual therapist in downtown Kitchener.
She specializes in offering insight-driven depth therapy and supports individuals who may be experiencing symptoms related to anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Click here to learn more about her online Kitchener counselling practice!