Somatic Tools for When Your Body Feels Like the Enemy

When anxiety is intense, the body can feel like an unpredictable, unreliable place. Somatic tools gently rebuild trust.

Here are three of the safest, simplest tools to help you feel safe:

1. The Hand-to-Heart Hold

Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Breathe slowly and let the warmth signal safety.

2. Orienting

Turn your head slowly and look around the room.
Name 5 things you see.
Your brain shifts from threat scanning to environment scanning.

3. Leg Press

Press your feet firmly into the floor.
Push gently, 5 seconds on, 5 seconds off.
This engages stability muscles and calms adrenaline.

These tools don’t stop anxiety—they soften it.

They bring your body back into the present moment, where fear has less control.