How Somatic Therapy Helps You Break Free From Perfectionism.
On the outside it looks like you have it all figured out. But on the inside, you feel - physically and emotionally - under constant pressure to always be doing more. No matter how much you accomplish, it seems like you’re always trying to hit a moving target.
You even “force” yourself to chill out and watch tv, but deep down there’s a sense of feeling like you don’t deserve to rest.
You’re up late replaying every mistake over and over, and stressing about your to-do list, which seems to keep growing.
You zoom in on every picture and pick apart each flaw. You’re frustrated for not living up your “ideal” body.
On top of your mind racing, your body feels tense and exhausted. Talking through your anxious thoughts is helpful and yet you still feel like you’re on high alert.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to healing that helps you gently notice where you’re holding tension and reconnect with your body.
It incorporates techniques such as body scans, breathing, and guided meditations (not sitting in silence trying to have zero thoughts!) to build a sense of calmness and safety within yourself.
By gently bringing awareness to your internal cues, you can reconnect to your body and calm your nervous system when it feels like your heart is beating out of your chest.
It’s not about forcing yourself to relax, but instead signaling to your body that it’s okay to slow down and allow yourself to feel safe.
Somatic therapy can also help you reconnect with your body, especially if you struggle with your relationship with food and body image.
Moving through anxiety and perfectionism.
Using body-based practices can help ground you in the present moment by gently taking awareness to your senses and learning to find comfort within yourself.
Experiencing overwhelming thoughts is common when dealing with anxiety, but that’s not always the case. You may notice a sense of unease, even if “nothing is happening” or you’re not thinking of anything in particular.
Somatic therapy for anxiety can help you:
Ground yourself in the present moment: Observe what’s happening here and now, so you can give yourself permission to step away from the negative thought loop.
Release tension: Noticing where you hold tension allows you the opportunity to move through it and let it go.
Regulate your nervous system: Slowing down and breathing signals to your brain that it’s safe to not be in fight or flight mode.
By practicing body-based techniques, you can gradually begin to feel more content, and learn that anxiety doesn’t have to take over your mind and body. Somatic therapy helps you move through anxiety more easily and be able to let go of not feeling “good enough.”
Healing the relationship with your body image and food.
Have you ever been suggested to look in the mirror and compliment yourself? If you didn’t find that helpful or maybe even triggering, you’re not alone!
Through somatic-based work, you can begin to view your body neutrally and cultivate self-compassion for what your body does for you.
When you’re preoccupied with thoughts of food, calories, and the number on the scale, you may create strict rules for yourself. When that doesn’t work, you find yourself binging on “bad foods”, followed by guilt and further imposing rules to make up for the binge.
By incorporating somatic-based work, you can learn to tune into your body’s needs in a way that is nourishing and safe, ditching the food rituals for good.
With somatic therapy for body image and disordered eating you can:
Shift from appearance to experience: Start to move from “how do I look?” to “how do I feel?”
Build self-compassion: Practicing mindfulness helps cultivate acceptance and appreciation for what your body allows you to do.
Develop self trust: Learn to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and honor it without judgement.
By incorporating somatic work, you can start to feel more aligned in your mind and body. Somatic therapy helps you build a more nurturing relationship with yourself.
Embracing imperfection.
Perfectionism can come from a place of wanting to feel in control and “good enough” for the expectations you carry.
Somatic therapy for perfectionism offers a way to find balance and let go of the worry your mind and body are holding onto. Being able to sit with yourself physically can be challenging at first, but it’s important to remember that it’s practice that gets easier over time.
Through this intentional practice, you learn to tune in and honor yourself, building trust that you are enough.
Healing is possible at Sage Mind Counseling and Wellness.
I support college students and young professional women in developing a healthier relationship with food and their body through somatic-based practices.
As a therapist and yoga teacher who has struggled with perfectionism myself, tuning into my body has been transformative in helping me feel calm and grounded.
Check out this gentle 10-minute yoga class to tune into your body:
Ready to get started with somatic therapy at Sage Mind Counseling and Wellness?
Letting go of perfectionism and building confidence isn’t something you need to face alone. Learn more about my approach as a therapist here.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to begin.
