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You may have heard the age-old expression “shake it off.” It’s comforting to know that with the power of the mind, it’s possible to shift your perspective. Through letting go and moving forward, a brighter future may be possible.
The concept could go beyond the mind. According to Bustle, an ancient mind-body technique called “somatic shaking” is going viral on TikTok. The practice is helping people release tension and reconnect with a sense of calm after day-to-day stress.
What is Somatic Shaking?
The fascinating wellness hack encourages shuddering in order to let go of stored stress and trauma. From jumping up and down to jiggling your arms and stomping, somatic shaking can have a positive impact. That’s because stress can cause tightness and fear to get trapped in the body. Through embracing movement, you can allow tension to melt away and prevent it from lingering.
Science sheds light on why somatic shaking may be effective. Dr. Scott Lyons, a clinical holistic psychologist, tells Bustle that while every mammal does it naturally, it’s easy to overlook what your body needs. In fact, spending long hours on the computer, watching TV, or scrolling on your phone can cause the body to freeze or stay in a stressed state. “Shaking and tremoring is literally the completion of the things we were meant to do as part of our human evolution,” Lyons adds.
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How to Do Somatic Shaking
You can try this fun and simple activity each morning or whenever you feel like it can help, HuffPost explains. Put on some of your all-time favorite songs that get you excited, plant your feet on the ground, and shake it out.
There are also several ways to try this activity, according to Femina. To do a standing full-body shake, place your feet hip-width apart and start softly shaking your legs. Allow the movement to make its way upwards to your shoulders. The movement can help your body let go of tension.
Another method is the knee-bounce shake, which involves bending your knees ever so slightly and gently bouncing up and down. When combined with allowing your arms to hang loose, you’ll feel your body shaking effortlessly. Benefits include relaxing the lower part of your body and your nervous system.
Move the upper half of your body with an arm and shoulder shake. Allow your arms to shake loosely from your shoulders, releasing any stiffness. This may help release stress in the upper back and neck.
Whether it’s through dancing or jumping around, this simple practice can help calm the mind and body. Sometimes, reconnecting with yourself only takes one bounce and shake at a time.
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