Have you ever felt like you were carrying the world on your shoulders or like your body was weighed down by the day-to-day demands? As a single mom, you probably know that feeling all too well. And, while solo motherhood is a never-ending job, you do have resources. There is a secret practice to help recharge your body and manage the stress – and it's called somatic release therapy. 

In this article, you'll learn just what somatic release is, why it's helpful for single moms, and some simple practices that can make a huge difference in your well-being. So, if you're looking for a way to restore balance and ease your mind, this practice of somatic release may be the answer you've been seeking.

What is Somatic Release?

Somatic release, also known as somatic therapy, is a powerful practice that can help you release tension and stress from your body. Somatic means "relating to the body." It is one example of a body-centered approach to psychological therapy. Although relatively new to Western society, Eastern cultures and traditional medicine have long recognized the importance of using movement, breath, and mindfulness to help you connect with the physical sensations in your body and release any stuck energy or emotions. 

Why Do Single Moms Need It?

For single moms, somatic release can be especially beneficial. Being a single mom comes with unique challenges and responsibilities that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. A single mom's life is also often full of traumatic and stressful experiences. Add the fact that solo parents are more likely to repress emotions to keep going, and you have a recipe for chronic pain disorders like migraines, fibromyalgia, and IBS. For more information on how trapped emotions affect the body, click here. 

Somatic release can provide a much-needed break from the constant demands of motherhood and help you reconnect with your body and emotions. It can also help you clear out any feelings that got stuck because you repressed them to get through the day, week, month, or year. 

The Benefits of Somatic Release

By practicing somatic release, you can learn to identify and release tension and stress in your body. This can help you feel more relaxed and centered and make it easier to handle the ups and downs of single motherhood. 

Here are some of the benefits of practicing somatic release therapy:

• helps you heal from trauma and stress at a cellular level
• may lessen the effects of PTSD and depression (click here for the study)
• assists in processing traumatic and negative life experiences
• may relieve chronic pain symptoms with unspecified causes (i.e., your doctor can't figure out what's going on)

Practicing Somatic Release

If you want to try somatic release, many resources are available online, including classes and workshops. You can also incorporate simple somatic practices into your daily routine, such as deep breathing or gentle stretching. In many cities, there are also in-person classes and workshops you can attend. Some find the group atmosphere more conducive to healing, but others find it prohibiting, so choose what's best for you.

Common Modalities:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Kinesthesia or Body Awareness
• Grounding aka Earthing
• Sequencing - paying attention to the order in which emotions move through the body
• Resourcing - focusing on sensations of safety in the body
• Somatic Breathwork 
• Somatic Movement Therapy 
• Meditation

Things to Remember

Remember, taking care of yourself is essential as a single mom. By prioritizing somatic release and other self-care practices, you can better face the challenges of motherhood and live a more fulfilling life. To learn more about taking care of yourself as a single mom, try one of the following articles:

• Grieving Alone: A Single Parents Guide to Surviving Loss
• 5 Affordable Ways to Pamper Your Single Mom Self
• Balancing Act: How Single Moms Can Embrace Both Feminine and Masculine Energies for Success
• The Ultimate Single Mom's Guide to Take Control of Your Schedule
• Free Yourself: 10 Must-Do Journal Prompts for Single Moms

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XOXO, 

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