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Start for freeUnlocking Calm: How Somatic Practices Can Ease Your Anxiety
In the realm of anxiety treatments, mindfulness practices and stress management techniques often take the spotlight. However, these methods don't always resonate with everyone. For individuals like Sookie Baxter, the founder of Whole Body Revolution, the journey to managing anxiety took a different path—one rooted in somatic practices. Through her work, Baxter has helped countless individuals heal their nervous system and reclaim their energy and sense of self. In a recent video, Baxter shares a simple yet profound practice to quickly relieve stress and anxiety.
The Connection Between Body and Brain
Anxiety, whether stemming from chronic stress, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed, can lead to dissociation from one's body. Baxter emphasizes the importance of reconnecting the brain with the body as a pathway to relief. This reconnection is facilitated through sensory stimulation, a process that can quickly alleviate stress and anxiety symptoms.
The Journey to Somatic Practices
Baxter's own struggle with anxiety led her to explore various treatments, including therapy, self-help books, and supplements. However, it was through manual therapy for athletic pain and injuries that she discovered the calming effects of bodywork. This revelation sparked a 15-plus year journey into understanding the nervous system and how sensory input can calm it, discharge stress, and heal trauma.
The Power of Sensory Stimulation
Somatic practices leverage the body's senses to initiate a calming response in the nervous system. One simple tool Baxter introduces is the acupressure ring. This affordable device can be used to gently massage the fingers, stimulating nerve receptors that directly communicate with the brain's frontal lobe. This interaction between the hands and the brain can significantly reduce tension and promote a sense of safety and relaxation.
How to Use an Acupressure Ring
- Place the acupressure ring over a finger and gently massage it, focusing on the sensation in your hand. Avoid causing pain—adjust the pressure or switch fingers if necessary.
- Ensure to massage the entire length of your finger, including the skin between fingers.
- You may notice warmth in your hands, deeper breathing, or even a relaxed neck and jaw as a result of this practice.
Expanding the Practice
Beyond fingers, the acupressure ring can also be used on toes, albeit with lighter pressure to avoid discomfort. Larger versions of the ring can be applied to wrists and ankles for a more extensive calming effect.
The Impact of Somatic Practices
Baxter's approach to anxiety relief through somatic practices offers a refreshing alternative to conventional stress management techniques. By focusing on the direct sensory stimulation of the body, individuals can quickly find relief from anxiety and stress. Baxter encourages those interested to try this practice for themselves and observe the immediate benefits.
For those seeking a different path to managing anxiety, somatic practices might just be the key. By integrating simple tools like the acupressure ring into daily routines, it's possible to find quick and effective relief from anxiety, paving the way for a more joyful and connected life.
Discover more about Sookie Baxter's work and somatic practices by watching her video on this topic here.
