Soothing Manoeuvers

Somatics means “having to do with the body” and this type of work explores where we carry our stress and old and new traumas in our body.  It also explores how to work with the body to release these heavy energies that we’ve stored in a safe and manageable way.  I've recently been learning from Irene Lyon who teaches about the importance of a regulated nervous system and I encourage you to check out the abundance of resources on her site and her YouTube channel.  For more great resources like this, sign up to get my monthly newsletter!

   You likely won't see this practice on any self-care, life hack lists. I've found it calming to use the alphabet as the base for a mind task in stressful times and I've found it to invite calm in my breath and my body. Check out other soothing manoeuvres to see ones that work for you or inspire you to create your own.

Poetry can be a soothing balm for chaotic times. It can be hopeful without being glib. And can be like a hymn in praise of so many things that fill us with gratitude.

Beyond hobbies, physical activity and relaxation activities, there is still an important place, in even the most grown-up life, for play!

A non-traditional, stress-calming activity, Mind Body Mirror uses movement to mirror the mind and to invite an embodied sense of calm.

Giving yourself a brush off can be a ritual of dusting off what we may not need to carry. To clear things up and give us space.

Repetition can be a quieting lullaby for the restless child in each one of us.

Our first learning experiences involve all of our senses and we can continue to use our senses with awareness and intention.

This 30 second lyrical, Jann Arden-inspired soothing manoeuver is one of my go-to calming activities.