When we find ourselves operating “in our heads,” we’re living with only part of ourselves, disconnecting from the rest of our body.

Many of us were taught to view the body as a set of systems and parts through a distant, subjective biological framework that focuses on separating the brain and the rest of our systems and organs. But how often do we think of the body as an entity with its own source of wisdom? How often do we tune in to our body when we are seeking answers?

Thanks to recent evidence-based research in neuroscience and psychology, it is now recognized that the mind and body are NOT separate, independent parts but are vastly interconnected and interdependent. Many psychotherapists are embracing more mind-body techniques to support clients in ways beyond traditional talk therapy like Flourish!

While many fields are increasingly accepting the vital role of the mind–body connection, many folks in our modern society are actually becoming less connected to their bodies.

With television, social media platforms, video games, artificial intelligence, and other technology, we have many distractions that can easily hold our attention captive and in some ways transport us to other realities, taking us out of the present moment. Screens can compete with the present moment, to our connection with others, and to our connection with ourselves.

When we're deeply absorbed in our thoughts, ruminating on the past or the future, our imagination can run wild. These states of mind often keep us disconnected from the ‘here and now,’ from what we can see and feel in the present moment.

We can feel numb and become less aware of what’s going on from the neck down when we are caught up in our minds. We lose the ability to notice what is going on in our body and surroundings. We can disconnect from our physical self-awareness such as our breath, our hunger or thirst cues or posture as a way to avoid what is presently going on both within us and around us.

When we disconnect from our body and stay in our head, we miss out on a connection to the deeper wisdom we can find within. Our body’s signals can often be dismissed or seen as less important than the messages we are receiving in our brains. However, it’s important to listen to our bodies, as they tell us what they need in order to function and to thrive.

Disembodiment causes us to feel not only disconnected with ourselves, but also disconnected from other living beings and the earth.

So, how can we shift from the thinking brain into the body? Mindfulness is key!

Mindfulness is a skill that needs daily practice, consistent intention, courage, and curiosity. And if you are one of the millions of people who live in a disembodied state and have been storing most of your uncomfortable and painful emotions into an internal storage room, then it might be best to work with a mindfulness-based therapist to help you slowly and safely unpack what’s in the storage room so you can make room for all the feels that are happening right here, right now. Because when you are mindful and have enough room to hold what’s happening in the here-and-now you are embodying emotional wellness.

Here are 6 ways you can practice embodiment:

Be curious: What does your body want to communicate with you? And how does it want to communicate with you?
5 senses: Pay attention to your bodily sensations in the present moment – the warmth of the sun on our skin, the sound of leaves blowing in a cool breeze, the smell and taste of a delicious meal, the view of a gorgeous sunset, the soft fur of an adorable puppy.
Move your body: Walking, stretching, yoga, dancing, and even newly sensationalized pickleball are great ways to shift from your mind and into your body.
Breathwork: We can connect to our body through deep belly breathing and long intentional exhales. When we practice this breathwork, we also send internal signals of safety to the autonomic nervous system. Check out our blog post on how a breathing exercise focusing on exhaling can lessen panic and improve mood. https://www.flourishinaustin.com/blog/cyclic-sighing-breath-improve-mood
Spend some time with the Feelings Wheel: When we practice noticing and identifying our emotional states and accompanying physical sensations when they arrive (“name it to tame it”), we gain insight into what our body wants to communicate with us.
Work with a therapist who takes a trauma-informed whole-body approach to mental health.