Body-Based Solutions for Anxiety
Anxiety can be very overwhelming. It affects your nervous system in big and small ways, making even small tasks overwhelming.
We've teamed up with Margery Segal a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist. Margery works with children and famlies in Austin, TX as well as online through the Whole Movement Center and The Somatic Child.
In this video, Margery teaches Lisabeth some simple exercises to help agitated kiddos (and their adults). Try them! They are simple but make a huge difference.
In the above video, Margery teaches an exercise to settle primitive reflexes. Here are the instructions in detail!
Instructions for Relief for the Fear Reflexes
In this exercise, you’ll “tap” with your fingers on different parts of the body. You’ll want to be gentle, rhythmic, and heartfelt when doing the tapping.
Tapping points:
- Feet: on the soles in the arches
- Side of the hips
- Arms: just above the elbow on the attachment of the triceps
- Arms: just below the shoulders on the deltoid on the outside of the arms
- Chest: one hand taps on the breastbone
- Head: lightly on the sides or top of the head or both
You can tap in any order, or for any length of time, although we’re looking for a relaxation response in the whole body.
Variations:
- Use a fun rhythm like the cha-cha or a 1-2-3 waltz rhythm.
- Tap at one place on the body or tap on two at once.
- Do the whole sequence standing up, lying face down or face up.
With Children:
- This can be very effective for infants and children, so be loving, warm, gentle, and aware.
- Make this a game. Since we’re looking to release fear, it’s helpful to make it enjoyable. For instance, ask a child how old they are. If they say “eight,” tap eight times in each spot. If they say “four,” tap 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-... and then ask, “are you still four?” And do it in the next spot…
- Tap at the same time on dolls or pets
- Make up a story or listen to an audio story as you go through each tapping location.
- For infants: Be very gentle.
DOWNLOAD this printable guide for taking these solutions on the go!
About the Authors
Margery Segal
Margery Segal is Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and LMHC with a specialty in development and Pre and Perinatal Birth Attachment Therapy. She works with children and families in Austin, TX as well as online through Whole Movement Center_ as well as The Somatic Child.
Lisabeth Sewell
Lisabeth Sewell has worn many hats at Sparkle over the years, from Sparkle Kitchen Blogger to Editorial Director to Doer of All Odd Jobs. Her primary role is as CEO.
