As mammals, we literally need touch for our health and sanity. Sadly, many of us in modern society feel touch-deprived.
Luckily, we can give ourselves some of the touch that our nervous systems are thirsty for. Take three minutes, hug yourself, and see how you feel!
How was this practice for you? Let me know!
Self-Hug Transcript
Hi. This is Emma Sartwell with Somatic Spiritual Counseling, and today we’re going to do a brief exercise to connect with our bodies and calm our nervous systems. So, take a moment to get comfortable. Find a seat, and just check in with yourself. How are you doing in this moment? How are your thoughts, your body, and your emotions? And then we’re going to do what Peter Levine sometimes calls the self-hug. So, we could all use a hug right now, and there aren’t too many people that we’re allowed to hug, so we’re going to hug ourselves. [This video was recorded during the COVID pandemic.]
The Somatic Heart Hug
So, take your right hand and put it on your ribcage near your heart. And take your left hand and put it on the outside of your right arm. And let your body flex inwards a little bit. And if it feels good, close your eyes and just allow your system to receive this containment and this touch. And notice if it has any effect on your breathing, on the tension in your body. And we’ll just allow ourselves to absorb this for a few moments.
Checking in with Oneself
And when you feel ready, letting go and checking in with yourself again. Has anything shifted mentally, physically, or emotionally? And knowing that you can give yourself a hug anytime you need one.
So, if you have any questions about this or you want to go deeper, feel free to email me at emma @ somaticspiritualcounseling.com. Thank you.
Would you like to learn more about the nervous system and somatic therapy?
