“I can’t RELAX!!!” -Finding Peace in Stressful Times

This world is not very conducive to nervous system relaxation and this trend seems to be on the rise. As a result of increased financial and employment pressures, health concerns, or systemic factors we may worry more, and feel more anxious or depressed. Did I talk about insomnia and racing thoughts yet, those that just never seem to end?! Are you feeling tired but wired and stressed about not being able to relax.

On a nervous system level, this means that our sympathetic nervous system is more frequently more activated. Basically, we are working really hard…we are working hard during the day, and when evening time comes around, we are working even harder to relax. Working hard has become a state of life…a habitual and difficult one, but one that we know how to do.

From a Somatic Experiencing perspective, we don’t try to relax. As somatic practitioners, we know that as soon as we are okay to be present within the pressure, the stress, the nervous system activation, even just a little bit, our nervous systems start to relax, even just a little bit, and without us doing anything. It is in the space of the little bit, where our nervous systems begin to learn … the ancient skill of not-doing.

Somatic practitioners may use modalities, such as Clinical Hypnosis or Somatic Experiencing to support you in re-discovering your unique way of resourcing and relaxing. Learning to relax is like a muscle that works counterintuitively… training is without effort, but with a good dose of enjoyment.