Body scans are a helpful item to have in your self-care toolbox. Do you ever notice that feelings tend to show up in different parts of your body? Some people notice tight shoulders or necks when they are feeling stressed. Others notice loss of sleep or a poor appetite when they are having a hard time. Some individuals feel a pit in their stomach whenever they feel anxious.
When you notice any of these things, we encourage you — as an act of self-care — to do an easy and quick body scan. To do this, sit comfortably or lie down. Then, starting at your feet and moving upward, notice how each part of your body feels. Where do you feel tension? What parts feel relaxed? As you notice parts that hurt or feel tense, try to relax that part of your body. If something feels tight, you may want to engage in some gentle stretching or massage. Be kind and gentle with yourself!
As you take time to do body scans over a few weeks, do you notice any patterns? For example, do you notice that your shoulders always feel tight? Spotting this can lead to more awareness throughout the day of how often you are tensing your shoulders in response to stress. As you start to become more aware of the areas of your body that are frequently tense, try to consciously relax those areas. Over time, this can lead you to start to release some of your tension build-up, and you will experience more peace in your body!