Stress Isn’t Just in Your Head: Understanding Somatic Stress Responses
- Wellbeing Team
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
We’ve been taught to think of stress as a mental experience — racing thoughts, overthinking, feeling emotionally overwhelmed. But stress doesn’t just live in your head. It also lives in your body.
If you’ve ever had a tight chest, clenched jaw, digestive issues, or trouble sleeping during a difficult time, you’ve experienced what we call a somatic stress response — a physical response to emotional or psychological stress.
At Wellbeing, we specialize in understanding and treating this full-body experience of stress. From anxiety and trauma to burnout and nervous system dysregulation, our work is rooted in the belief that your body and mind are connected — and both deserve support.
What Is a Somatic Stress Response?
Somatic means “of the body.” A somatic stress response refers to how your body reacts to perceived threat, pressure, or overload.
It’s part of your nervous system’s natural survival response — something designed to protect you. But when you’ve lived in high stress for a long time (or have trauma), your body may get “stuck” in stress mode.
Common signs of somatic stress:
Muscle tension (especially in shoulders, jaw, neck)
Shallow breathing or chest tightness
Upset stomach, nausea, or IBS-like symptoms
Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Racing heart or panic sensations
Fatigue or brain fog
Feeling jumpy or easily startled
You’re not imagining it. And you're not dramatic. Your body is trying to keep you safe — it just needs help coming back to regulation.
The Nervous System’s Role in Stress
When we feel safe, our nervous system functions in a regulated way — allowing us to rest, connect, digest food, and think clearly. This is often referred to as the parasympathetic state (also called “rest and digest”).
When we’re under stress, we shift into a sympathetic state — a fight-or-flight response. This is useful in emergencies, but if your system gets stuck there, it can lead to chronic stress symptoms or burnout.
And sometimes, especially with trauma or long-term stress, we can swing into freeze or shutdown — a form of dissociation or numbness when the nervous system gets overwhelmed.
At Wellbeing, we help clients:
Understand their nervous system states
Recognize signs of dysregulation
Use tools like therapy, breathwork, or ketamine to restore balance
Why Talk Therapy Alone Sometimes Isn't Enough
You might’ve tried therapy before and found that while talking helped, something still felt stuck. That’s because some stress lives deeper than language.
At Wellbeing, we offer trauma-informed, body-aware therapy and support modalities like:
Ketamine-assisted therapy, which can allow deeper emotional processing and somatic release
Medication management when appropriate, to support regulation from the inside out
Prep and integration sessions that gently support nervous system healing
How to Start Supporting Your Body Today
Here are a few gentle somatic practices you can start today to bring awareness and regulation to your stress:
1. Orienting
Look around the room slowly. Notice what feels safe or pleasant — a light, a color, a plant. This helps bring your body into the present moment.
2. Grounding through Sensation
Hold a warm mug. Splash cold water on your face. Rub lotion into your hands slowly. These simple tactile sensations anchor you back into your body.
3. Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Try humming, singing, or lengthening your exhale. These activate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in calming your system.
4. Name What You Feel
It can be as simple as saying, “I notice my chest is tight” or “My stomach feels fluttery.” Naming sensations gives your body a signal that it’s being heard.
You’re Not “Too Sensitive.” You’re Just Stuck in Survival Mode.
And that’s not your fault.
Many people struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma aren’t just mentally overwhelmed — they’re physically stuck in a cycle of dysregulation. The good news? Your nervous system can heal. It just needs the right kind of support.
Ready to Feel Safe in Your Body Again?
Whether you’re dealing with chronic anxiety, panic, or trauma, Wellbeing offers compassionate care to help you come back to yourself — at your own pace.
Book a free consultation to learn more about our therapy, ketamine, or medication services.
