Learning to Support Yourself Before You Hit Overwhelm
Kindness Matters
Many people don't recognize how important it is to check in with themselves. They push forward without pausing and miss the small moments of awareness that could shift the way their day feels. They often wait until their body signals strong discomfort instead of noticing the early signs of stress.
In this conversation on the Light Heart Vision Podcast, I talk about how self compassion becomes a practical skill you can use in everyday life.
Why Somatic Coaching Supports Self Compassion
Somatic coaching teaches you to notice what your body communicates before overwhelm takes over. When you start to feel anxious, you can pause and check in instead of going into autopilot. You take a small step that helps your nervous system settle and gives you more room to act with intention.
The Felt Sense: Listening to the Body’s Early Signals
In somatic coaching, you work with the felt sense. This means you pay attention to cues such as breath, tension, temperature, restlessness, or spaciousness. These sensations often show up before your mind creates a story about what is happening. When you tune into these signals, you build a kinder and more attentive relationship with yourself.
Titration and Pendulation: Working in Manageable Rhythms
Somatic coaching encourages you to move slowly and work in pieces your body can handle. Two supportive skills help with this pacing.
Titration
Titration means taking in your experience in small, manageable amounts. Instead of absorbing the full weight of stress all at once, you stay with just a hint of sensation or emotion. This helps you stay present without getting overloaded.
Pendulation
Pendulation means gently shifting your attention between two different states: one that feels tense or activated and one that feels more grounded or supported. This natural back and forth rhythm helps your nervous system move between activation and ease. By moving between these two experiences, you give your system room to shift without pressure.
Together, titration and pendulation support a more responsive and grounded relationship with your inner world. You learn that you can notice what feels difficult while staying connected to what feels supportive. This rhythm helps your system change gradually and creates space for more choice in the moment.
Tracking: A Skill for Nervous System Awareness
Tracking helps you notice how your body shifts as you breathe, speak, or reflect. You observe subtle changes that show what helps you settle and what increases tension. When you track consistently, you stay connected to your inner experience throughout the day.
Self Compassion as Daily Practice
You express self compassion in the way you speak to yourself, in the moments you pause, and in the space you create for your own experience. You support your body and mind before stress becomes overwhelming.
If you want to explore these ideas further, you can watch the full conversation here:
🎧 Kindness Matters Including With Yourself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbnnwUdy4LE
If you want to learn more about somatic coaching or book a session, you can schedule directly through our website:
📘 Book a Session at Healing Arts Center
https://www.healingartsvb.com
May this conversation encourage you to offer yourself the same kindness you offer others.
