Somatic Therapy: The Secret Weapon Against Procrastination You Never Knew You Had

Stop the Procrastination Spiral by Listening to Your Body’s Inner Voice

Hey Chicas! We’ve all been there: staring down a to-do list that feels like a mountain, the urge to scroll through social media instead of tackling that looming project. We often beat ourselves up for “laziness,” but what if procrastination is actually a message from our bodies, a hidden language whispering about what’s really going on?

Somatic Therapy For Procrastination

This is where somatic therapy steps in. It’s a powerful approach that goes beyond just talking about your problems. Somatic therapy recognizes the mind-body connection, understanding that our emotions and experiences are held not just in our thoughts, but also in our physical sensations.

So, how does this translate to procrastination? Let’s say you have a presentation due, but the thought of it fills you with dread. Your stomach might clench, your shoulders tense up – these physical responses are clues. Somatic therapy helps you decode these messages.

Unpacking the Procrastination Puzzle: What’s Your Body Saying?

Through techniques like body scans and guided meditations, somatic therapy helps you become more aware of your physical sensations. Is it tightness in your chest that suggests anxiety about the presentation itself? Or maybe it’s a slump in your posture, hinting at a deeper dissatisfaction with your job and a lack of motivation.

By understanding these physical signals, you can uncover the root cause of your procrastination. It might not be laziness at all, but fear of failure, a hidden resentment towards the task, or even a subconscious protest against a job you find unfulfilling.

Somatic Techniques You Can Try at Home:

Here are some simple somatic exercises you can try at home to explore the “why” behind your procrastination:

Body Scan: Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Focus on your breath, then slowly shift your attention to each part of your body, noticing any sensations – tightness, warmth, tingling. Ask yourself: “What emotions might be linked to these sensations?”
Mindful Movement: Stand tall and take a few deep breaths. Now, slowly move your body – stretch your arms, roll your shoulders, shake your hands. Pay attention to how these movements affect your mood and energy levels.
Journaling with Body Awareness: Write down the task you’re procrastinating on. As you write, become aware of any physical sensations. Note them down and explore what emotions they might be connected to.

Beyond Awareness: Taking Action with Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy goes beyond just awareness. Techniques like Internal Family Systems help you explore the different parts of yourself that might be contributing to your procrastination. You might discover an inner critic fueling your fear of failure, or a “protector” part avoiding the task because it feels overwhelming.

By working with these different parts, somatic therapy helps you develop self-compassion and find a more balanced approach. You might learn to soothe your inner critic, develop strategies to break down the task into manageable steps, or even identify a need for a career change that aligns with your deeper desires.

Remember, procrastination isn’t a character flaw – it’s a message from your body. Somatic therapy equips you with the tools to decipher this message, break free from the cycle of putting things off, and move forward with greater self-awareness and purpose. So, the next time you feel the urge to procrastinate, pause, listen to your body, and let somatic therapy guide you towards a more productive and fulfilling path.

XOXO

Coach Annie