Some people believe that the body keeps the score. When you experience emotional or physical trauma, your body retains some memory of this pain. This is easy to believe when it comes to physical trauma, but how does your body keep emotional pain? The hips are considered the emotional junk drawer. Are your hips and mind connected?
When emotions affect the body
According to Stanford Medicine, stress can cause physical pain in the body. This is because it releases a hormone called cortisol. At high levels, cortisol can lead to inflammation of the body. It can also increase symptoms of chronic pain. Stress can also lead to muscle spasms and tension.
The hips are connected to the pelvis and your legs. You may feel more pain in your hips when you’re stressed because of how many muscles are attached to them. Healthline states that the hips are connected to the muscles that support the core, move the legs and carry weight. When your hips tighten, moving your body becomes more difficult. Daily activities can feel more difficult than usual.
Tight hips can also tilt your pelvis forward, leading to misalignment of the head and neck. It can also lead to back aches and makes it difficult to maintain proper posture. Poor posture is a sign of and can lead to depression, anxiety, fatigue, and chronic headaches.
Another important muscle group in the hips is the iliopsoas muscles. In this muscle group, the kidneys carry out filtration and control the adrenal glands. When you experience trauma, hormones are released to trigger the body’s fight, flight or freeze response. In emotional distress, the psoas muscles tighten. When you’re no longer stressed, you can still feel headaches or back pain. This leads to the belief that trauma gets stored in the hips.
How can dancing release stress from the hips?
Dancing, even bad dancing, can help relieve stress stored in the body, including the hips. Dancing is a great physical exercise to help you manage emotions. It can reduce stress levels and anxiety. In addition, dancing helps you stay in touch with your body. Being aware of where there’s any tightness in your body helps you know which movements can help improve mobility and flexibility. Reasons Why You Should Dance More
Dancing helps you lengthen the psoas muscles and keeps your spine and legs moving. Dances that incorporate twisting movements, dancing side to side, and getting the back stretched are the best to loosen your hips. 4 Reasons Why You Should Dance Alone In Your Room
How else can you reduce stress with movement?
If you’re worried about your sense of rhythm and would rather not dance, there are other options you can explore. Yoga is a great way to exercise and stretch your body. The postures and rhythmic breathing from positions that require moving from upright to downward positions can help fix your hips. Yoga positions like downward facing dog, the plank, prayer pose, or standing forward bend are great options. Health And Fitness: 10 Reasons Why You Should Practice Yoga
You can also add stretches to your routine. Pelvic stretches are great for your hips, upper legs, and lower back. Hip flexor stretches like lunges and butterfly stretches help loosen tight psoas muscles. Pelvic Floor Muscles: Key Things To Know
Somatic therapy is also another great way to deal with trauma by tending to your physical body. When you explore the mind-body connection when dealing with trauma, it can help you deal with the symptoms and other psychological causes. Anxiety, depression, and stress directly affect your body. Movement can help you manage your condition but it can’t be the only solution you explore. When dealing with trauma, it’s important to have multiple approaches that utilise different treatment options, best determined by your doctor. The kind of stress you’re dealing with may also need medication, cognitive behavioural therapy, and talk therapy. Dance therapy is only one option. Everything You Need To Know About Somatic Therapy: Types, Benefits And Who Should Consider It
Friendly reminder: trauma can be stored in your hips. Dancing can help with that. https://t.co/MKqPslTkSq
— Black Therapist & Coach 💕 (@NicoleLewisLCSW) September 13, 2024
Check out:
Reasons Why You Should Dance More
4 Reasons Why You Should Dance Alone In Your Room
6 Ways To Make The Most Out Of Your Therapy Sessions
Mental Health: What To Do When Therapy Isn’t Working For You
Mental Health: Pros And Cons Of Talk Therapy
