Mental health expert shares this ‘recovery technique’ to help alleviate anxiety

"Movement is key to our body. Not only does it help in preventing issues, but also in healing many issues,” said Dr Dutta.

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | July 21, 2024 01:27 PM IST

3 min read

Somatic shaking is a regulation technique to help your nervous systems relax. (Source: Freepik)

Sometimes, when you feel too cold, or accidentally consume something too sour, your body begins to vibrate on its own, seemingly in an attempt to shake off the foreign feeling. When our body feels anxious and weighed down by sad thoughts, the urge to shake them all off is real! According to digital creator and neuro-sensory specialist Brooke Weinstein, you can do just that!

Somatic shaking is a “recovery technique you can use for body recovery, or to release excess cortisol. This is a regulation technique to help your nervous systems enhance focus, relaxation, and decisiveness without overthinking,” shared Weinstein.

Indianexpress.com spoke to mental health experts and found out how this cool trick can help your body calm down when it is wound up and in need of rest.

“Just shake your body, move it, feel the shake, feel the joints and muscles working, keep a gentle smile on your face, focus on your breath and enjoy the moment. This teaches you being present in the moment, letting go of the uncontrollable thoughts in your head causing stress,” said Darshan Wairkar, fitness and martial arts content creator.

“You can start from the very basics like moving your body in various ranges of motion, jumping, shaking, bending, twisting,” he said. Wairkar suggested feeling the energy flowing in your body, feeing the relaxation and feel your mind and body getting calm, happy and relaxed.

“Somatic therapy operates under the belief that emotions become trapped in the body when not processed. It explores how the body expresses deeply painful experiences, applying mind-body healing to aid with trauma recovery,” shared Dr Era Dutta, consultant psychiatrist and content creator.

Shaking can help process trauma and increase feelings of safety. (Source: Freepik)

She explained that somatic shaking is a part of somatic practices that includes body awareness and breath work, grounding, dance, and movement.

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“Movement is key to our body. Not only does it help in preventing issues, but also in healing many issues,” said Dr Dutta.

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According to her, shaking can help process trauma and increase feelings of safety and grounding through spontaneous movement, helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and promote relaxation.

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