Why Talk About Your Body in Therapy?
By Sirina Shepherd, LCSW
Embodiment is a term we use in therapy to explore you connection to how your body feels, moves and reacts to everything around you. Including the body in your therapy is essential. More information flows up from your body to your brain than your brain to your body. Meaning, that if you struggle with feeling embodied, you are going to make a lot of choices that you don’t necessarily want to.
It’s hard to be in our body, our society doesn’t promote it, and frankly thinks it is a weird concept. But if you are looking to feel fulfilled, joyful and know who you are - embodiment is essential.
Benefits of Embracing Embodiment
Ways that embodiment can make your life better:
Coping with Stress: When you connect your thoughts with how your body feels, it helps you handle stress more effectively and keeps your emotions in check. Because more information is shared from your body to your mind - you get faster cues that you need something and can use body based skills.
Boosted Confidence: Imagine feeling comfortable in your own skin. Embodiment boosts your self-confidence because you become more aware of your body’s awesomeness.
Sharper Mind: When you get your body involved, learning becomes a fun adventure. Your brain remembers information better because it’s teaming up with your body. Embodiment increases integration - which ultimately means that information is easier to understand, retain and use.
Calmer Moments: Embodiment helps you relax. It helps you notice when you need a break, making you feel calmer and happier. It helps you create small moments where you can catch your breath and settle. Even in the middle of chaos.
Embodiment in Therapy:
Healing from the Inside: Sometimes, trauma and stress get stuck in our bodies. With embodiment, therapy can help you release those feelings, making you feel lighter and happier. Embodiment creates a release and reorganization that simple talk therapy cannot.
Mindful Magic: Mindfulness is like focusing on the present moment. Embodiment adds a sprinkle of magic to mindfulness by involving your body, making it even more powerful. Meaning, the more you work on embodiment with mindfulness, the more present you will get, the increase adaptability in life you will and the more you can ride the wave of emotion.
Express Yourself: Ever danced or drawn something that made you feel better? That’s embodiment! Therapists use activities like art, dance, and movement to help you express your feelings.
How to Embrace Embodiment:
Body Check-Ins: Throughout the day, pause for a moment. Close your eyes and ask your body how it’s feeling. Listen to what it says! Don’t walk in with an agenda or try to create meaning, just feel.
Movement with Music: Dance like nobody is watching or take a peaceful walk. Feel every step, every movement. That’s embodiment in action.
Mindful Meals: When you eat, really taste the flavors and feel the textures. Your body with thank you for taking this time.
Breath Deep: When you breathe in and out, notice how your body rises and falls. It’s like a gentle reminder that you’re here, right now.
Many people need support with embodiment. Therapy can be a great space to start exploring your embodiment in a safe environment.