We know you’ve heard the saying: 'a healthy body is made 80% in the kitchen and 20% in the gym'. 

 

Photo courtesy of A BODYCOMPLETERX, Customer, slaying it. 

 

The saying should be it's 60% Mental, 40% Nutrition, 10% gym (*shrugs* it's a rough guesstimation).

 

BODYCOMPLETE RX products, really hone-in on what you should be doing nutrition-wise, and they work even better when complemented with an active lifestyle.

 

Somatic exercise forces you to be mindful. Being mindful of your body can accomplish a lot for you- 

 

So, we try to give you the scoop from time-to-time on how to do exactly that. We want you to achieve allllll of your goals with BODYCOMPLETERX, by your side.

 

If asked to consider how to accomplish said, ‘healthy lifestyle’, the gym ends up being the oblivious go-to. The reality is, going to the gym, could seem a little overwhelming to you right now. Whether you’re new to wellness, you have chronic pain, or you’ve just been feeling out the vibes of the current times, and would rather stay home.

 

The reality is, going to the gym, could seem a little overwhelming to you right now. 

 

Then there’s the reality that home workouts don’t always click for everyone either. Staying active doesn’t have to mean sweating and aching muscles. It could also be consciously acting to increase your wellness through mindful movements.  

 

Luckily, we have an approach for you, so you don’t have to throw out exercise altogether: staying active at home could take on another more mindful ‘form’. You'll just need a yoga mat (and no we aren’t suggesting some hot new trending yoga practice.)

 

Instead, of 80's Jazzercising it out; let’s spend some time doing some DEEP HEALING (and getting a lot more flexible), by trying out something called, Somatic Exercise.

 

We know you’ll get back to heat rate thumping exercise when you’re ready. For now, let’s tinker with the idea of alleviating stress and tension and boosting our immune systems.

 

Did you know that experiencing stress can actually lower your white-blood cell count ( your immune system) and cause you to be more susceptible to getting ill?

 

 

LET'S START HERE: WHAT IS SOMATIC EXPERIENCING?

 

While, may be focusing on the exercise part of Somatic experiencing you should know where the approach stems from, if you’re interested in getting more out of your new home wellness routine.

 

The approach ties together the mental, physical, and subconscious in order to release deeply held tension and trauma. Here’s a quote from the center for the Somatic Experience:

 

Here we introduce the concept of titration – slowly releasing energy. Somatic Experiencing® operates in cycles, where you sense your way through the normal oscillations of internal sensation – contraction/expansion, pleasure/pain, warmth/cold – but only at the level that you can handle. This repeated, rhythmic process helps you to develop a greater capacity to handle stress and stay in the present moment, where you belong. – Traumahealing.org

 

 

HOW COULD SOMATIC EXERCISE HELP ME TO STAY FIT?

 

There's more to being fit than nutrition and fitness, there's the wellness aspect as well. A healthy mind will accomplish so many more of your goals than being in a state of neglected mental health. 

 

That being said; the saying should be it's 60% Mental, 40% Nutrition, 10% gym. Somatic exercise forces you to be mindful. Being mindful of your body can accomplish a lot for you, including a daily reminder of your goals that helps you build discipline and not feel stressed about it. There's also a science behind slow movement practices ( i.e. Yoga, Somatic exercising, Tai Chi.) 

 

Moving slowly triggers the parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the automatic nervous system is the yin to the yang (sympathetic nervous system.) the sympathetic system is responsible for things like your flight or fight responses.  Psychcentral.com says if you want to feel those deep relaxation vibes you need to trigger your yang or parasympathetic nervous system, not your flight or fight reactions (sympathetic.) So move slowly, release the tension that has built-up over time in your body. 

 

Through somatic education transformation of self becomes possible as new perceptions open up the potential for a better quality of life. -The Art and Science of Somatics: Theory, History and Scientific Foundations

 

CAN I SEE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SOMATIC EXERCISE?

 

Yes, of course it’s better to see than be told. But if you can’t watch now, here’s the short stuff: it could be loosely called stretching, in really slow mode and in such a way it releases tension and 'trauma' from your body. (Totally should be on your follow-along list though.)

 

 

OKAY, GREAT I'M IN, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

 

Exercise like bench pressing, and prepping for your first 5k are great for heart  health and muscle strength. Somatic exercise is great for chronic pain, flexibility, central nervous system function and your immune health.   

You don't have to give up exercising; in fact we recommend you don't, but if you do feel better practicing in the comfort of your own home. You can practice this and experience a little bit of zen until you're ready to head back to the weight room. 

 

 

 

----BCRX Blog Content Creator, Klarrisa Arafa